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Three Teams Pursuing Rich Hill

By Jeff Todd | February 3, 2021 at 10:40pm CDT

There are at least three teams making serious pushes to land southpaw Rich Hill, according to a report from WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. The Rays, Brewers, and Mets are each in pursuit of the veteran hurler.

Hill is closing in on his 41st birthday, but still spun 38 2/3 innings of 3.03 ERA ball last year over eight starts with the Twins. There’s little question he’s deserving of an important role on a big league pitching staff, even if it’s unreasonable to expect he’ll turn in a full starter’s workload over the entirety of a 162-game season.

While the results were excellent, Hill did show some worrying signs in Minnesota (with the obligatory short-sample alert). He managed only a 31:17 K/BB ratio, far off of the sparkling strikeout and walk numbers he had routinely sported in prior years with the Dodgers. Hill also shed a few ticks off his fastball — not that he has ever been reliant upon overwhelming velocity.

It’s not surprising to see the Rays and Brewers in the hunt for Hill. Both teams have moved away from traditional pitcher usage patterns in recent seasons and would have little trouble scheming up ways to maximize Hill’s unique capabilities. The Mets do not fit in quite the same manner, but could plug the ageless southpaw into the back of their rotation mix and plan to get him regular respite from the typical five-day pitching schedule.

One team is notably absent from the set of reported pursuers: the Red Sox. Bradford notes that the Boston organization has seemingly backed away from its initial interest after making other additions. That’s likely a bit of a disappointment for Hill, who resides in Massachusetts and has made clear that geographical location is one of his chief concerns (along with the ability to compete for a title). For what it’s worth, the Mets are obviously nearby and the Rays play frequently in the northeast.

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79 Comments

  1. tribepride17

    4 years ago

    It’s amazing what he’s done after he looked like a washed up matchup lefty after his age 33 season.

    14
    Reply
    • Far Beyond Driven

      4 years ago

      He’s a gamer

      1
      Reply
      • seth3120

        4 years ago

        He’s a lefty which always helps but I am a little surprised now that he’s been injured quite awhile now.

        Reply
    • Chief Two Hands

      4 years ago

      I stopped underestimating him after he was continuously successful in deceiving Mr. Firley and the Ropers for years on “Three’s Company.”

      5
      Reply
      • BucksPackersBrewersWow!

        4 years ago

        Stanley – yes; Helen – no way!

        1
        Reply
  2. HBan22

    4 years ago

    Would love to see the Red Sox bring back Hill, disappointing to see they are seemingly out of the running. Can’t help but continue to root for the guy, one of the best career comebacks in recent memory.

    2
    Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      4 years ago

      As I said with JBJ, until he signs I’m not believing Boston is still not in the conversation. Will depend on the other offers and each will likely take their best offer back to Bloom. No guarantees of course but why move if you don’t have to?

      Reply
  3. Hosmer for HOF

    4 years ago

    Well this is rich

    6
    Reply
    • Bochys Retirement Fund

      4 years ago

      Thank you, just thank you.

      Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      4 years ago

      He may be 41, but he’s not over the hill yet.

      4
      Reply
      • troll

        4 years ago

        maybe at 42 he’ll change his name to rich hole

        Reply
  4. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    Hill always seemed like he would be the Mets’ third option in the pecking order of Bauer, Kluber, and Hill, but since they have gotten some good SP depth recently I’d say it’s less of an issue now. Though man could the Brew Crew use some pitching depth right now. I think that’d be a great pickup for Milwaukee. Fill that rotation with inning eaters that’ll give you a 4.00> era and that team might have a serious chance in the central.

    1
    Reply
    • Deadguy

      4 years ago

      Of all the teams Milwaukee could use Hill the most. They need more offense too though ranked in the bottom 5 in the League.

      1
      Reply
      • stubby66

        4 years ago

        Honestly I hope the Brewers don’t sign him I think they have enough in the minors to go with. But then again I think Smalls and Mitchell should be given a fair shot to start this year especially if you traded Lorain and Garcia. Go with Yellich, Mitchell, and Taylor in the outfield. They couldn’t do any worse offensively and think of all the money they can save and make a big trade at the deadline if they are in it

        Reply
        • g4

          4 years ago

          No way Mitchell is ready for the bigs without a single minor league a bat and Taylor’s bat screams 4th OF at best. Garcia was a disappointment in 2020, but you are seriously underrating Cain if you think there would be no drop off.

          1
          Reply
        • stubby66

          4 years ago

          I never said there wouldn’t be a drop off but we handle it without him last year .Your definitely underestimating Taylor.he would be a wash with Garcia. Now Mitchell is more ready for the majors then Richie Weeks was.

          Reply
    • think it thru

      4 years ago

      I don’t believe Hill will be the inning eater you crave. He’s more of a 5 inning SP at this stage of his career. As far as the lower velo , well I’ll take a pitcher over a thrower any day even for the 5.

      5
      Reply
      • Rangers29

        4 years ago

        Yeah, I just looked over his innings totals for his career, and you’re right. He has never pitched 200 innings in his career and his highest innings total of his career came 15 years ago.

        Reply
        • HBan22

          4 years ago

          You definitely get quality over quantity (innings) with Hill.

          3
          Reply
        • Chief Two Hands

          4 years ago

          He’s got bleesters on his feengers!

          1
          Reply
        • Gigorilla

          4 years ago

          Is that you Ringo?

          Reply
    • MrMet33

      4 years ago

      Hill isn’t a great fit for the Mets considering they already have Patterson & Lucceshi toward the back of their rotation. I still think that’s where Bauer goes. Hill makes a lot more sense for mid-market teams.

      Reply
      • HBan22

        4 years ago

        I see the Mets going after someone more like Jake Odorizzi if they lose out on Bauer. While Bauer obviously offers much higher upside, they may end up liking Odorizzi at say 3 years, $35 million more than they do Bauer at whatever he is asking for. Regardless, I’m sure they want someone who can soak up a lot of innings, which Hill can’t counted on for.

        Reply
        • MrMet33

          4 years ago

          A lot of people want to say Odorizzi but I do not see that. He’ll be an expensive option for not much an upgrade over what they already have on their roster. A Trevor Cahill type for 1 year and half less than half the money will likely give you similar results.

          Reply
      • rct

        4 years ago

        He would supplant Lucchesi and probably Peterson. When healthy, he’s better than Lucchesi hands down.

        With Peterson, he’s got one COVID season (50 innings) of good pitching under his belt. Could it have been a fluke? He didn’t exactly light the minors on fire, and had the Mets not desperately needed starting pitching, he probably wouldn’t have even started (especially if the minors hadn’t been canceled; Peterson skipped AAA entirely).

        imo, Hill seems like a really good fit for the Mets.

        Reply
      • ExileInLA 2

        4 years ago

        Peterson and Lucchesi have options…

        Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      4 years ago

      Despite what I said above, Hill could be perfect for the Mets. Get whomever else you need to get the team through the season and give a hopefully then healthy Hill the ball as a lefty after deGrom. Alternatively, sign him to pitch early until Thor returns. Just don’t depend on Hill to be healthy all year. When was the last time that happened? Given his age, there’s a better chance the former president proves he actually won the election.

      2
      Reply
      • atmospherechanger

        4 years ago

        Appears this will be Hill’s healthiest year…

        Reply
  5. jorge78

    4 years ago

    Hill is too fragile…..

    Reply
    • PeteWard8

      4 years ago

      Hill has been around too long to call fragile. He is a big man with that nasty curveball. Wish my team would sign him.

      6
      Reply
    • Chief Two Hands

      4 years ago

      His biggest recurring issue has been blisters, which have consistently caused him to miss games. When he is healthy and on his game, his curve is ridiculously good. That same curve, however, seems to often take its toll on his fingers.

      3
      Reply
  6. machumizer

    4 years ago

    Hey angels, maybe just like sign every starter still available. Not a fan, but trout needs help preventing runs.

    Reply
    • HBan22

      4 years ago

      I absolutely would have preferred signing Hill to trading for Alex Cobb if I were an Angels fan. Hill can’t be counted on for a lot of innings, but when he’s out there he has shown little sign of slowing down. Cobb is a #5 at this point.

      1
      Reply
  7. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    no interest from Msaeachubaets?

    Reply
  8. MikeD26

    4 years ago

    Another LHP to SD?

    Reply
    • need_a_no-no_pads

      4 years ago

      Please no! He is made of glass.

      Reply
    • HBan22

      4 years ago

      Supposedly the Padres were still interested in Wainwright and Tanaka even AFTER acquiring Musgrove. So it’s certainly not out of the question that they could have interest in Hill. And he may be a perfect fit there, as someone who wouldn’t be counted on for a ton of innings. Adding him would give them arguably the best and deepest rotation in baseball.

      Reply
  9. 99 Captain Judge

    4 years ago

    Maybe over the hill but he has one of the best curveballs I’ve ever seen. Not to many pitchers can do it with one pitch. He is living proof it can be done. He definitely will challenge the hitters.

    2
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      4 years ago

      Not many lefties have a pitch that is so deadly thrown to RHB as that back foot curve.

      I’d love to see him back on the Dodgers in something other than a starting role but he doesn’t fit into their game plan. I like the Rays rumor. He’d have a place on a team that likes to use openers.

      Reply
  10. Sideline Redwine

    4 years ago

    Perfect fit for the Rays. He’d complete the rotation for the short term, w plenty of help on the farm.

    2
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 years ago

      They check bags at the Rays stadium. That didn’t go over too well last time

      2
      Reply
      • Sideline Redwine

        4 years ago

        Nice one.

        1
        Reply
  11. think it thru

    4 years ago

    Hill would fit nicely in TB as an opener or even following the opener.

    1
    Reply
  12. B-Strong

    4 years ago

    Kinda sucks the Red Sox have moved on, as they could still use another rotation piece. I cant imagine hes gonna cost a ton.

    1
    Reply
    • HBan22

      4 years ago

      Gotta stay under that luxury tax at all cost.

      It’s interesting that they were willing to give Richards and Martin Perez the contracts they did but weren’t willing to roll the dice on Kluber or Hill. I’ll take an old, injury prone Rich Hill over Martin Perez any day…

      1
      Reply
      • looiebelongsinthehall

        4 years ago

        I’d actually have taken Hill over Richards. Not sure of the money it will take but suppose Hill was offered the same deal. This sounds bizarre but if you ‘were going to bet on who gives the team more value at the end of the deal, who do you take? In such a gamble, “smart” money still finds a way to sit the hand out but if I “had” to, I’d back Hill.

        Reply
      • B-Strong

        4 years ago

        They were willing with Kluber, they just wanted to try and get that 2nd year option in case he bounced back and he wanted no part of it. He also wanted to play for a contender and the guy overseeing his recovery is in new york, so he really was the yankees to lose at that point

        Reply
    • User 4245925809

      4 years ago

      It’s a shame if only because he’s a native new englander that wants to come back again, but the negatives are glaring.. Blister issues, throws that curve over 50% of the time with a fairly violent motion and already had TJ before when was with Boston.. He’s really a walking injury risk and an older one at that,

      Reply
      • B-Strong

        4 years ago

        Literally almost every SP for Boston had had TJ at this point. Eovoldi has had it twice. Their whole pitching core is an injury risk so padding it with a high upside when not injured is a good idea. Boston would have been well served to run a 6 man rotation with all these guys.

        Reply
  13. Unknown69420

    4 years ago

    Hopefully Hill does good wherever he goes. Man’s had it hard his whole life

    Reply
  14. Jgwi2az

    4 years ago

    How did that Mets fan know about this article 9 hours ago. Weird

    Reply
  15. SugaMonkey

    4 years ago

    What are the Angels sitting on!?

    Reply
  16. Mario93

    4 years ago

    Instead of chatwood and Liriano, Jays should’ve been on a Rich Hill.

    Reply
  17. Treylum

    4 years ago

    Can anyone confirm if the Jays have checked in on him? I don’t believe I have seen any articles about it.

    1
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 years ago

      If you haven’t seen any articles, they will announce the signing shortly

      2
      Reply
      • Treylum

        4 years ago

        Hahaha truth

        Reply
  18. texasguscc

    4 years ago

    Don’t want him on the Mets, even as a joke. They have no business chasing him. Hill hit Nimmo three times in one game in 2018, breaking his wrist because he felt Nimmo stood too close to the plate. Then, he spent the postgame in the locker room laughing about it. He should have been ear holed by the Mets but only Syndergaard has the balls to challenge the other team. This guy doesn’t deserve to be on the Mets.

    mlb.com/video/nimmo-hit-by-pitch-exits-in-7th-c219…

    2
    Reply
    • differentbears

      4 years ago

      Joe Kelly hit the Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez in his (already injured) ribs in G1 of an NLCS. Now he’s a folk hero in LA for the Houston game.

      1
      Reply
    • Luc 2

      4 years ago

      Do you think the Mets could sign Connor Gilaspie to a deal?

      Reply
  19. Yankee Clipper

    4 years ago

    3 teams, uh, ok:

    1) Folsom City

    2) Rikers Correctional

    3) Cobb County Correctional

    Best guesses.

    Reply
  20. Mjshof

    4 years ago

    A lot of recent signings have been pitchers close to the bottom of the dust bin.

    Reply
  21. phillyballers

    4 years ago

    Who else thought.. “Jesus, how old is Rich Hill” before opening?

    Reply
    • whyhayzee

      4 years ago

      Probably not Jamie Moyer.

      Lefties last forever.

      Reply
  22. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    4 years ago

    Seems like a perfect fit for what the Yankees have been doing this off season to deal with rotation issues. 1 year/$4.5M or something could probably get it done.

    Reply
  23. terry g

    4 years ago

    I think because of the short season last year, more teams will carry addition starters/swing men and pitchers like Hill will fit the bill. Tampa is a good spot for him.

    Reply
  24. chicagofan1978

    4 years ago

    Cubs need a lefty, probably too expensive though

    Reply
  25. whyhayzee

    4 years ago

    Hill has value if he can pitch in the postseason. He’s effective and unflappable. But very injury prone. He’s from Milton, MA. What’s not to like?

    Reply
  26. RaysFanTL

    4 years ago

    He had an epic freak out when the dodgers played the Rays in 2019 when someone bunted opposite of the shift…. Curious how it would turn out if the shift-happy Rays sign him lol

    Reply
  27. eddiemathews

    4 years ago

    As to his walk/strikeout ratio, perhaps he drew Angel an inordinate number of times.

    Reply
  28. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    4 years ago

    Well, obviously not going to the Tigers. Chris Illich is too busy trying to convert the MLB to a horse hockey league……

    Reply
  29. ThinkinBlue94 2

    4 years ago

    The Hill chill!!!! I will always root for this guy. His story is very inspiring! I’m surprised the Cubs aren’t showing some interest. They could use him and it be cool to see him go back to where it started.

    Reply
  30. Rsox

    4 years ago

    Hill would be a nice addition if you could sign players to half year contracts.

    Reply
  31. TBJ12

    4 years ago

    Surprised I haven’t heard any mention of the Jays being in on Hill. I’d really like to seen him in a Jays uniform even if it’s only 100 innings or so.

    Reply
  32. al34

    4 years ago

    Hey Bloom Wake Up!!! We need pitching and he lives in the Massachusetts area! Remember Kluber also lives in the Boston area and you underwhelmed him!

    Reply
    • Rsox

      4 years ago

      My uncle also lives in Massachusetts, but i wouldn’t want him on the mound for the Sox

      Reply
      • al34

        4 years ago

        When your uncle can pitch then we will talk. But with our pitching staff I’ll take my chances with Rich Hill over your uncle.

        Reply
  33. DodgerOK

    4 years ago

    Hill has a lot of miles left because he spent so much time on the DL with blisters on the Dodgers.

    Reply
  34. giants51

    4 years ago

    Why…. over the hill

    Reply
  35. san888

    4 years ago

    Redsox resurrected his career and never benefited

    Reply

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