Veteran left-hander Rich Hill heads back to the open market in a few weeks. Despite a rough second half, he’d at least find minor league offers as he looks to extend his MLB career to a 20th year.
Hill might not sign over the winter, however. While he’d previously expressed an intent to play in 2024, the 43-year-old (44 in March) now tells Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune he’s giving some thought to waiting until midway through the campaign before joining a new team.
It’s an atypical tack but one Hill has considered before. Last August, he told Rob Bradford of WEEI he was thinking about something similar for the 2023 season. The southpaw didn’t ultimately pursue it — he signed an $8MM deal with the Pirates just after Christmas — but that possibility is back on the table this winter.
There are a few reasons behind Hill’s decision-making. The most straightforward one is health. MLB’s oldest active player, Hill conceded to Acee he has “a pretty good gauge and a monitor on my body” and considers “half a season … much more palatable than a full season.” Hill also pointed to a desire to spend more time with his family, noting that he’d like to watch his 12-year-old son play during his final year of Little League baseball next spring. By waiting until midseason, he’d also have a chance to survey the competitive landscape and look to land a spot with a playoff contender.
Hill’s performance also suggests he could be better suited for a lighter role. His production dipped in the second half, especially after a deadline trade from Pittsburgh to San Diego. Hill carried a 4.76 ERA through 22 starts with the Bucs, reasonable production for a fifth or sixth starter. He was tagged for 8.23 earned runs per nine during his two months in Southern California, serving up eight homers in only 27 1/3 frames of work.
The Padres knocked Hill out of the rotation after five starts. They placed him on waivers in an unsuccessful attempt to shed the last few weeks of his salary. He remained in their bullpen after going unclaimed, working mostly low-leverage relief. Hill found more success in a very limited look in that capacity, turning in a 2.25 ERA with an above-average 26.5% strikeout rate in his final four appearances.
Despite the solid last few games, Hill’s subpar results early in his time with San Diego contributed to a lackluster 5.41 ERA through 146 1/3 frames. That’s more than a run higher than last season’s 4.27 figure and his highest mark since his remarkable late-career resurgence with the 2015 Red Sox.
He’s pulling a Rodger Clemens…
Nicer guy than Roger, but I think it’s time for Dick Mountain to hang up his cleats and enjoy time with his family.
it took him so long to see decent money in his career. he’s not walking away as long as some team is willing to lay out any substantial cash. for him that’s probably going to be in the hundreds of thousands and he’ll show up.
He’s made about $80 million in his career. I doubt he’s looking for spare change in the couch cushions.
guess that depends on what you call pocket change. the guy pitched for 10 years before seeing real money. if theres 500k plus incentives on the table i’d fully expect him to toss some baseballs and do his best.
Anyone is nicer than broken bat throwing ROCKET MAN! Mike Piazza look OUT!
Rich Hill put on some shows in the playoffs? Was that 2016 and 2017 I’m thinking of? Maybe ’18 too? Great guy…
Just that Clemens came out to throw like 15 starts for Houston in both ’06 and ’07 at ages like 44 and 45?
Roger Clemens did the same thing his last two seasons. However Rich Hill is not the difference maker a Roger Clemens could be.
Someone will probably give him a chance though
@Rsox
Could have been but for ‘analytics’ manager’s.
2017 World Series Game 2, Astros at Dodgers, October 25
4ip 1er 7k 60 pitches and yanked when he was dealing-because ‘analytics’…end up losing the game and the ‘world series’ by one game.
Not that I care too much because it’s the Dodgers, but just one example.
Bashing analytics is so cringe
Don’t think analytics was the reason the 2017 WS was lost..
LOL. Agreed. Trashtros.
Zerbs63
Comprehension is everything, where in fact did I say “analytics was the reason the 2017 WS was lost.”
Try again.
However, it WAS the reason Rich Hill was lifted after 60 pitches, and HE could have been the difference maker in that game.
But then again, the series was lost by one game, so maybe your counting is not good either.
Have a good day and take some comprehension lessons in English.
I was at that game and was angry he was pulled. Managers need to look at what is in front of their eyes.
Hill pitched really well for us this season. He was pivotal to help get us into the playoffs..
Rich did the same for the Pirates this year he single-handedly got two teams into the post-season thus justifying working only half a year.
Oof.
That 8.23 ERA was critical
But what contender would come to the conclusion that they’re a Rich Hill away from being over the top?
Desperation happens. And if he is willing to do a minor league contract with an opt out date to try to ramp up, what is the harm for an injury riddled playoff hopeful down to 6 plausible starters?
@JCS
There are multiple AAAA arms passed through waivers weekly throughout the season. If desperation strikes, claim them. Or swing a trade for a pitcher on another team with more depth. Guys who have gone through a full spring camp and prepared for the season in game settings. If he was a commodity to contenders, he wouldn’t have started this past season with Pittsburgh, who was expected to be terrible.
His best course of action would be to sign with another middle of the pack or rebuilding team, pitch well, then end up on a contender.
Not too many starters get on those waiver wires in crunch time, mostly relievers. And those that do don’t have 19 years of veteran experience and grit. There’s also the value of that player mentor for the kids.
Dude doesn’t think he can do the wear and tear of a full slate of games and be effective. I commend him for not forcing it. Plenty of 30 year Olds break down after 20 starts in a season, perhaps more so now with the pitch clock.
There is no merit to the claim the pitch clock increases injury.
He’s a known quantity unlike those AAAA pitchers.
There are multiple AAAA arms passed through waivers weekly
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I’d much rather have a fresh Hill than a AAAA arm.
Personally I’m expecting the Nationals to sign him in June to a 5 million dollar prorated deal. He goes on a 3-1 run with sub 3 ERA in the first month after building up his arm and finds himself flipped to the Mariners at the deadline for Ryan Bliss. He starts off solid in Seattle before cooling off, as do the Mariners. Holding onto him despite flailing numbers from late August to mid September, the Mariners place Rich Hill on waivers and find him claimed by the Braves seeking to rest their staff in advance of the playoffs, while making Hill an unfathomably powerful Immaculate Grid piece.
Just a hunch.
@pd14- Not too often the M’s acquire a pitcher and he does worse for us than he did for his previous team.
Now hitters, that’s another story.
Injury depth. Someone could just be looking for a decentish reliable arm to get them through some frames while dealing with injuries. As long as it’s a low risk flier for half a season, you don’t give up any prospects and are paying like 3-4 million, there will likely be a contender that has a couple injuries they’re dealing with that might take a look and hope they get a well rested rich hill to give them some innings.
A contender that loses a solidified SP to Tommy John surgery and has a career journeyman as their best depth in AAA.
But what contender would come to the conclusion that they’re a Rich Hill away from being over the top?
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A lot.
SD & the RS without a doubt. Assuming he starts in July, so he pitches three months without wearing down too much,
The RS gave 9 starts to RPs.. SD gave I believe 13 starts to guys not part of their opening day rotation.
Every trade deadline, teams trade for #5 SPs to cover for an injury.
Fun fact: Hill’s 146.1 innings in 2023 is the 3rd highest of his 19 year career.
More like a sad fact. He’s only pitched 1405 innings in a career that began three months into G.W. Bush’s second term.
I’d say Zack Greinke should try that so he can have more time to build himself up for his 3,000th strikeout. I don’t see the point of Rich Hill doing this. Time to retire.
Walk away on a high note
Zack’s control could make him a 7th or 7th/8th inning guy. Maybe even the 9th if needed. If he’s so fixated on 3,000 whiffs, let him try that. Still more noble than Early Wynn’s 300-win chase.
He should’ve plied up more early wins.
Milt- I hope that he at least took Jerry Walker out for a great dinner.
When Roger did this he was still putting up elite numbers. If it helps Hill, we might see guys like Kershaw try it. Might keep him healthy for the playoffs.
At 44, and coming off a poor year, I don’t see many takers for Hill no matter when he decides this is his I’m-ready-to-help-a-contender month.
Rocking chair and hammock time for this veteran. He’s no longer fooling anyone with that curve ball.
If you need to sign a 45 year old Rich Hill who is in severe decline halfway through the year, you probably have some big problems.
The dude has pitched in 19 seasons and made 75 million dollars. My guess is, this “plan” will work, and maybe even well. Some team — in the hunt most likely — will throw 3-5 million at him for half a season of him throwing his junk up to the plate.
Bully for him if pitches or doesn’t.
That don’t really work if you’re not good anymore, and not in baseball.
There’s no harm in giving that a shot. If it works, great. If not, announce retirement near the end of the season.
Worry bout how much heart he still has 4gm, wanting to only play 9 holes in abbreviated season. Plus that Era north of 8 was real, beat em like Tijuana pinata last cpl months. 44 … ol man time nvr loses.