TODAY: Hill won’t reach a deal with the A’s on a new contract, Rosenthal tweets, making him likely to be dealt today.
YESTERDAY: The A’s are discussing an extension with left-hander Rich Hill while also discussing trade scenarios with other teams, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
Hill has been one of the most talked-about names on the trade market all season long but has scarcely been able to pitch since late May due to a groin strain and, more recently, a blister on his left middle finger. The latter of those two maladies landed him on the disabled list yesterday, and while the stint is expected to be minimal, it does cast a shadow on the club’s ability to trade Hill. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle characterized a Hill trade as a “long shot” today due to his placement on the disabled list, but she noted that the Blue Jays, Tigers, Dodgers and Orioles have all scouted Hill extensively (though Baltimore has reportedly struck a deal with the Mariners to acquire Wade Miley). The club would be happy to hang onto Hill even after tomorrow’s deadline she writes, adding that the club would consider a qualifying offer for Hill at season’s end. FOX’s Ken Rosenthal added the Astros, Rangers and Pirates to the list of clubs with interest in Hill (Twitter link).
That, of course, would represent a massive offer to a player that, prior to 2016, had never earned more than $1MM in a given MLB season. But, Hill has upped his game dating back to last September and pitched brilliantly thanks to an increased use of his curveball, pitching to a sterling 2.06 ERA with 10.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a near-50 percent ground-ball rate. Durability is a factor both in trade talks and extension talks, to be sure, but Hill’s recent results are difficult to ignore. Hill’s age figures to limit the length of any contract — more than two years would be a major surprise — but the fact that he hasn’t earned much in his career (relative to most of his peers) might actually play into Oakland’s favor, as any type of significant contract offer would figure to carry quite a bit of weight for Hill.
Well isn’t this an interesting turn of events.
Well isn’t this an interesting turn of events
Billy Beane doing his best interpretation of posturing.
Agreed. Doesn’t he do this with Reddick and others every mid season?
I can believe it. I don’t buy the QO statement but I can believe that they went to him and said hey we want to sign you to a one year extension at 8 million figuring he will at the very least then be able to be traded either in the off-season or at next year’s deadline.
Can’t buy into the QO why? Why would he do a 8 million extension? All he has to do is finish the year pretty strong and he’s going to get more than 8m next year!
Makes no sense for hill, unless he thinks his injury is going to seriously limit his earnings this winter
Exactly no sense for Hill! Why would he do that? All he has to do is finish strong and he has a great chance to get double that!!
This is Billy Beane’s “oh crap” moment.
It’s like playing double or nothing when you hit one too many times at blackjack.
Rental? No way…. Hill has a 2 year extension. Give me more for him now. -Beane
Yeah, that’s how I’m seeing it.
They did this with Coco Crisp a few seasons ago. Then again with Kazmir. Probably sign a two year deal for $20 Million. Trade him next year if the A’s can’t play defense, again.
The QO is probably going to be ~$17m…so I doubt he does 2/$20m, though I can see an extension still happening.
I seriously dread reading A’s updates
No one is giving up anything valuable for a 36 year old, injured rental.
Um, yes, people are giving up wildly valuable things for a pitcher with a 2.25 ERA/2.53 FIP/2.5 fWAR in 76 innings. Do you know anything about how baseball works? He most likely will bring in a top 100 prospect and another piece or two. Blisters are not real injuries.
I happen to agree to a certain extent. He’ll fetch a decent prospect but I would say that’s about it. He is truly a 2 month rental. Can’t expect much from him beyond that at this point in his career. 75-100 level prospect
Yeah so, ronnsnow, you were saying? The Dodgers 5, 8 & 13th best prospects for two rentals.
So I guess now the A’s have to extend Marc Rzepczynski a qualifying offer