The Mets, in dire need of some rotation help, have found some of the rotation depth they’ve been seeking. The team announced Friday that it has acquired lefty Rich Hill from the Rays in exchange for minor league catcher/infielder Matt Dyer and veteran right-hander Tommy Hunter (who is currently on the injured list). Right-hander Robert Stock, out with a hamstring strain, was transferred to the 60-day injured list in order to open a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster.
The swap will come as a surprise to many, given the Rays’ place in the standings and last night’s acquisition of Nelson Cruz, but it serves as another reminder that in today’s game, many clubs can’t be simply boxed into strict “buyer” or “seller” categories.
Hill, 41, has pitched to a 3.87 ERA through 95 1/3 innings so far in 2021, but he’s also struggled rather considerably since mid-June. In his past seven starts, he’s tallied just 33 1/3 innings and yielded 20 runs on 34 hits and 16 walks. Seven of those hits have left the yard, and Hill’s 28 strikeouts (19.3 percent) in that time represent a pretty pronounced decline.
Overall, Hill is sitting on a 5.40 ERA and 5.25 SIERA since June 12. As the New York Post’s Joel Sherman observes (Twitter link), he’s seen his spin rates drop considerably in the aftermath of MLB’s crackdown on foreign substances. I’d add that it may not be coincidental that Hill began incorporating a changeup (ideally a low-spin offering) into his pitch mix in early June. The 41 changeups he’s thrown over his past eight starts are already the most he’s thrown in a season since 2009.
Despite his recent struggles, Hill gives the Mets a much-needed veteran arm to plug into the back of an ailing rotation — one with more upside and a much greater track record than recent options they’ve tried. New York has yet to receive an inning from Carlos Carrasco or Noah Syndergaard in 2021, and depth options like Joey Lucchesi, Jordan Yamamoto and Thomas Szapucki are all sidelined through season’s end. Ace Jacob deGrom hit the injured list recently due to a forearm issue, and fifth starter David Peterson is out with an oblique strain.
With all of those injuries piling up, the Mets have leaned heavily on righties Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker, who’ve both exceeded expectations and pitched brilliantly so far in 2021. Young righty Tylor Megill has also fared well in his first five big league outings, but the Mets had a clear and pressing need to get some sort of stability into the rotation. Hill can provide that, and if he can return to his prior levels of production it could prove a difference-making move for the Mets.
From the Rays’ vantage point, it’s possible that Hill had simply fallen out of favor as one of the organization’s preferred rotation options. Tampa Bay has Ryan Yarbrough, Shane McClanahan, Luis Patino, Michael Wacha and Josh Fleming as alternatives on the big league roster, and there are several depth options behind them in Triple-A (including ballyhooed righty Shane Baz). It’s also eminently possible that the Rays will add another name of note to the rotation over the next week as they load up to chase the Red Sox in a competitive AL East title picture.
Hunter’s inclusion in the swap is seemingly as a financial counterweight to Hill. The New York Post’s Mike Puma recently indicated that it was doubtful Hunter, who has been out since May with a back strain, would be able to return in 2021. Hunter’s $2.25MM salary is a bit lighter than Hill’s $2.5MM salary, so the Rays are saving a fairly nominal $99K by agreeing to take on his contract in return.
The Rays do come away with an interesting prospect in the 23-year-old Dyer, whom the Mets selected in the fourth round of the shortened 2020 draft. Dyer has spent the season with the Mets’ Class-A affiliate and shown some concerning swing-and-miss tendencies (30.9 percent strikeout rate), but he’s also walked at a high clip and shown good power. He’s hitting .194/.329/.452 with seven homers, seven doubles, a pair of triples and six steals, and Dyer has spent time at catcher (65 innings), at first base (80 innings), at third base (66 innings) and in right field (18 innings) so far this season.
Baseball America’s scouting report on Dyer prior to last year’s draft suggested that he had a plus arm, average sped and the potential to be an average or better defender at as many as five positions, including catcher, which sounds like a player tailor-made for the Rays organization. This year’s strikeout concerns underscore that he’s far from a sure thing to hit enough to realize that potential, but he’s a somewhat interesting name to add to the system in return for a struggling pitcher on an expiring contract.
While it’s not a trade many would’ve expected to see come together today, there’s some sense to it for both sides. The Mets are plugging a hole in their rotation with a veteran arm who’ll practically be free from a financial standpoint, while the Rays are turning to younger options on the starting staff and acquiring a super-utility lottery ticket while dealing from a position of depth.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo first reported (via Twitter) that the two sides had engaged in discussions regarding Hill. Fansided’s Robert Murray reported that a deal was close. Jon Heyman of MLB Network first reported an agreement had been reached. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the other players involved in the deal (Twitter links).
ukhalo
Which soon to be 100mph relief pitcher are the Mets giving up in return?
sfes
Tommy Hunter?
BovineCrab
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Stevil
“What up!? We’re three cool guys looking for other cool guys who want to hang out in our party mansion–NOTHING SEXUAL. Dudes in good shape encouraged…”
Cosmo2
What is your brochure shaped like?
Francys01
This is when I say why did the Rays traded Hill? I don’t get it. Do they want to reduce their payroll. Come on, Hill has pitch well this season for them. It’s difficult to be a Rays fan, although I like the Rays but its difficult to follow them since they trade their players during the season and offseason. Why trade Hill and not try to add at least another starting pitcher. However, the Rays are great for a reason. They might acquire another starting pitcher on the way or in the upcoming days.
sfes
I’m a Mets fan and when I saw the highlight I almost crapped myself wondering what they extorted from us
Oldschoolandthemets1980
I’m thinking Oswalt or yancy Diaz
tidybowlman
Yeah, it sounds too good to be true.
Win Cor
They are not done yet.
bucsfan0004
Have the Rays EVER traded a pitcher that has done well after leaving them? Yet teams keep trading for them. Best of luck to the Mets i guess
chalk73
David Price had a pretty good run.
chalk73
James Shields had a few good years as well.
Adam Ev 2
I bet the White Sox wish they had hung up on Padres GM considering it costed the Sox some guy named Fernando Tatis Jr.
mlb1225
Yeah, but nobody has had long, sustained success. Shields had 2 good seasons in KCR and then a sub-100 ERA+ from 2015 to 2018. Price pitched well down the stretch in 2014, as well 2015 as well. But he’s pitched more than 180 innings in a season just once since 2016, has been extremely inconsistent with both performance and injury, and is currently in a relief role for the Dodgers. Blake Snell could break that trend of pitchers only having 1-2 good seasons once leaving the Rays if he can turn things around.
Gothamcityriddler
Only way Price is getting into the HOF is if he buys a ticket of admission. Ahahahaha!
bigun
Wade Davis.
David C
James Shields?
DrDan75
Tatis hadn’t played a single professional game when Preller got him. Those kind of transactions are basically a crapshoot.
Cosmo2
No way they could’ve known he’d be this good but trading a top prospect isn’t a crapshoot, it’s a calculated risk.
User 4245925809
Speaking of Shields.. That goofball announcer they have and have had for years.. DeWayne Staats, used to call him “Big Game” James, but I always thought that should mean someone who would step up against the best and toughest competition, which Shields didn’t and failed to do with Tampa.
Shields.. For a while at least had a miserable record vs both the NYY and Boston, especially on the road. Teams a guy so anointed with a logo like that should do well against. Shields struggles at Fenway got so bad at 1 point where Rays manager Maddon would skip his scheduled starts there.. Once again…
Chicago Whales
Wade Davis was great until he got to Colorado. He was moved out of the rotation long before that though. But solid closer for a few years
When it was a game.
If i may add to that traded a pitcher who has done well not for financial reasons.
ABCD
One of the oldest jokes on this site.
CoolKidJoeXBL
James Shields career shifted dramatically after he gave up that homer to Bartolo Colon. It literally ruined his career.
raysdude7676
Even Blake Snell has an ERA around 5 this year. It’s amazing how players do great on the Rays and so often do terrible once they leave. Speaks volumes to their coaching and culture.
Albert Belle's corked bat
“Difficultto be a Ray’s fan”?? Coming from a SL fan who knows nothing about the Rays, please welcome Shane Baz to the show!
Francys01
Albert Belle’s corked bat- I know more about the Rays than you kid. In the American League the Texas Rangers and Rays are my favorite teams just for your information. Yes, the Cardinals are my favorite team, but I also like others teams too. I’m not obsessed with a team. You don’t know nothing about the Rays compare to me.
Albert Belle's corked bat
@Francys01 Dumbass!
neo
*chef’s kiss* this is an internet fight for the mlbtr hall of fame.
Francys01
Albert Belle’s corked bat- You are so brilliant. You are wise kid. Congrats.
YourDreamGM
@Francys01 You are not only clueless about baseball but seem to struggle with intelligence in general. “You don’t know nothing about the Rays compare to me.” “why did the Rays traded Hill?” “Hill has pitch well”
The Natural
The Rays typically know exactly what they’re doing. Keep an eye on the prospect they received in the coming years.
Todd Kemmerer
I honestly think it’s more than that, it’s not coincidence ppl fall off alot once leaving. Call me whatever, there has to be something else. Not sure if it sticky stuff, if it was teaching it would carryover. They can’t be perfect on getting ppl traded at the exact right time.
luckyh
He’s going to get hurt. They already got the best of him. The Mets will get the rest of him. The Rays are smart.
bigun
I don’t know if he will get hurt, but otherwise I agree with you. Rays have inventory to backfill, Hill has overachieved. Mets are desperate. Sell high, get a nice young player in return, give one of your other guys a shot. You’re right, it’s smart.
phenomenalajs
This wasn’t a payroll reduction since Hill’s and Hunter’s contracts basically match. It’s basically a mid-level prospect for a rotation arm down the stretch.
Prospectnvstr
Francys01: As it states in the article, Hill has struggled for his last 7 starts AND he’s on an expiring contract PLUS there’s other options within the roster. In addition to that they pick up a (4th rd pick fr last yr) super utility type of player who may or may not turn into something down the road. Nice under the radar deal for the Rays.
YourDreamGM
@Francys01 You obviously don’t follow the rays like you claim. Hill was good, but not in the past month or so. He doesn’t look to have any role on a world series contender.
Francys01
YourDreamGM- Only because a pitcher/ player struggles that doesn’t mean that he cannot bounce back. By the way, I don’t have to convince you that I know a lot about the Rays. You can believe what you want.
YourDreamGM
@Francys01 No you don’t have to convince me. Your comment said plenty. You weren’t aware of Hill struggling. Not aware that minor league pitchers are ready. Not aware Archer is coming back.
Your comments suggest that it’s not just the rays you don’t know anything about but baseball in general. You ask why trade hill and not aquire anyone else? Well 1 maybe they have internal options. And 2 the trade deadline hasn’t passed yet.
Francys01
YourDreamGM-Man, whatever you say. Once again, I will not try to persuade you. It so easy to follow a team when you can’t watch all the games. Let me teach you something If you cannot watch all the games you can watch the highlights of the games in mlb.com, Quick Pitch or MLB App. You don’t have to thank me for that information. Not to brag or anything, but when you have the mlb.tv can you can watch any team except the local team/s and guess what I have it.
Deadguy
Francys01 you don’t bounce back from not being able to use spider tack anymore…. Its like what happened to Manny Ramirez
YourDreamGM
It so easy. I cannot help myself.
Edit. I am so sorry. I didn’t know about the mlb tv thing. I just assumed you were some stupid fan boy that liked to talk crap when they didn’t know what they were talking about. My apologies.
Francys01
YourDreamGM- It’s okay. Next time don’t make the same mistake. Lol.
old man hub
This is because the Rays have 3 soft throwing lefties and 4 lefties overall on the active roster. They add a catcher who doesn’t need a spot on the 40 man. They save a tiny bit of cash AND they make room for Patino on the active AND create a slot on the 40. 11 pitchers still on the DL…gotta have space.
Raysfan17
This might be some useful Rays information
I hope this gives some possible insight from the Rays perspective
Rich Hill season stats:
Before June 12th (12 starts):
3.05 ERA, 9.15 K/9, 2.90 BB/9
June 12th and after (7 starts):
5.40 ERA, 7.56 K/9, 4.32 BB/9
His spin and velo has been been plummeting this season as well, TB may believe there isnt much left in the tank considering his age and injury history.
So instead of losing Rich Hill for nothing if he continues on recent trend (5.83 xFIP over his last 6 starts – good luck #Mets), they get a few talents back in the trade. Matt Dyer may not seem like much return now, but he’s only R5 eligible in ’23, and has +versatility.
#Rays Rich Hill deal takes
1. #Rays win WS, gets a ring (don’t feel bad)
2. 40 IP from his innings high since ’08 (135 IP), made him iffy for playoff time
3. #Rays need spots for incoming players
Imminent: Archer, McKay, Drake
Later: Anderson, Glasnow
Potentially: Baz
Bobby boy
They weren’t concerned about losing Rich Hill. More about losing with Rich on the hill. He didn’t fit their plans short term. There are better internal options This way they can pack up the excess bullfrog into his duffel bag and lower their internal sunscreen expenses. Gotta give em credit. Brilliant move.
smuzqwpdmx
Nobody is better than the Rays at judging when a player is in irreversible decline.
icantstandyous
It’s because spider tack is now banned
bestlakersfan
Rays win, again.
Samuel
Not surprising……
The Rays said earlier in the year that the veteran starters – Hill, Wacha, and Archer were brought in to hold the fort until mid-season when McClanahan, Fleming, Patino, and others would be brought up and pitching more innings. If they know for sure that Glasnow is coming back, Wacha and/or Archer may be available for trade.
The Baseball Fan
Did not see that coming, but hey, the Rays know what they’re doing. Mistake number 1 is trading with them
Gwynning
MetsFan22
We made a mistake for giving up dyer and tommy hunter? Lol
tstats
Knowing the Rays, and Hill, yes.
tidybowlman
♂️ It doesn’t seem like it, but Rays do Rays stuff.
csspackler
Padres did OK with Pham and Cronenworth.
leefieux
The Pirates say “Hey, Rays…wanna steal, er ah deal?”
downeysoft42
Not anymore now that cherringtons in town.
neo
I’m fully expecting the Rays deployed an advanced inception that had the Mets thinking that acquiring Hill was their idea.
Rays decided time was best to dump Hill for anything they could get.
Putmeincoach12
I hope the Cards keep trading with the Rockies and never again trade with the Rays.
Finlander
Think Twins and Rays are both ok with recent Cruz deal. Cruz maybe gets shot at playoffs, Rays needed that bat, and Twins get some AAA pitching depth. But yeah, in general buyer beware. They’re shrewd. Mets weren’t expecting a #3 starter. But you’d think they’ve noticed Hill’s statistical downslide lately.
Bob333
Good thing Phillies suck.Mutts get another suck pitcher
Cosmo2
Ooooh, Bob
davidk1979
Clown comment
Prospectnvstr
david1979: Which commentor are you saying made the “clown comment” #Bob333 or #Cosmo2? I’m asking because I think BOTH of them seem VERY juvenile imho.
DarkSide830
sounds very Rays
DocBB
“The Mets have reached a deal to acquire lefty Rich Hill in a trade with the Mets”. LMFAO…only the Mets!
ExPatNYker
Heyman tweeting to fast or with his mouth full
iamhector24
Only the Mets trade fringe prospects for pitching depth? Why are people on this site so dumb?
lemonlyman
He was pointing out the typo. Mets trade with Mets. Still lame to point out a typo, but not for the reasons you suggested.
Ashotswell
The Mets agreed to acquire Rich Hill from the Mets? I knew the Mets could do at all but that’s quite talented what did they give themselves LOL had to read that a few times make sure I was reading that correctly
Gwynning
In other news, the Mets have agreed to agree with themselves. Highlights at 11.
meckert
How will he injure himself in his first appearance?
Ashotswell
Is there an option for tripping on the rosin bag
Cosmo2
Could pull a Doc Ellis and trip on something else.
tstats
I LOVE DOC ELLIS
Diatribefan
Dooood
Dutch Vander Linde
My bet is on back soreness.
BrewersMVP08
Removed from the game for going doo-doo in his undies
meckert
He’ll throw his back out picking up his suitcase at LaGuardia.
neo
nah, ejected from game for using his doo-doo as a foreign substance
sfes
Hell probably just hold the ball and throw the doo doo
Cosmo2
Well, if they sign GG Allin we’ll know where they’re going with this
brickhaus
They’re assembling The Bad Breath Bears
Ya'll a bunch of salty crybabies
Blisters fo sho!
BrewersMVP08
He’s as old as Joe Biden but he’s still a really solid arm. Idk how he does it
Rsox
Throwing over 100 innings four times (should be five as he only has to survive five innings in his next start) in 17 seasons will keep the arm fresh
mlb1225
It’s the Tampa Bay Rays. I stopped questioning their methods long ago.
MetsFan22
They got nothing for a sp having a good year.
Noel1982
No more like nothing gained nothing lost
Noel1982
He’s a averaged 4 and a half innings since the pitching rules change ! It was nothing for nothing
seamaholic 2
It’s only a good year if you ignore his last couple months, and if you ignore his propensity to run out of gas right about now, and the fact that he’s 41. Rays wouldn’t have used him rest of the way, particularly if they acquire a different starter shortly, which they will.
mlb1225
The Rays will find a way to turn nothing into something. If there’s a way, the Rays will find it. The Double-A player will turn into an all-star, and/or Hunter will come off the IL and give the Rays some Mariano Rivera-like post season performance.
MetsFan22
Lol good luck with turning dyer into anything special
mlb1225
If any team can do it, then it’s the Rays.
SonnySteele
The Rays have been doing so much with so little for so long that they are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
MetsFan22
That’s not true. Rays were suppose to get Wacha to be good… it doesn’t work like that. Rays are a very smart organization so it’s more likely to find good players than other organizations but they are going to turn dyer into anything unless dyer himself turns himself around. By the way. If it’s anyteam it’s the dodgers.
Metsfan9
Dude your bias is ridiculous. Hill is having a terrible year and Dyer isn’t nothing he’s a pretty good prospect
Joe It All
His assessments come from name value even when it’s a player past his prime or a heralded one who never found their prime.
Blackie
Rich Hill MLB American League Pitcher of the month May 2021
old man hub
Rays deal in volume. Most of there moves are even to bad, they draft like crap, but they keep at it and hit just enough.
SalaryCapMyth
MetsFan22 accusing someone of bias. That’s Rich. >=}
stymeedone
Its not May anymore!
brickhaus
Eh, the Rays have a VERY long history of not being able to turn catching prospects into viable major leaguers. Probably the most successful catcher prospects they’ve had are Omar Narvaez, Stephen Vogt and Robinson Chirinos, none of whom did anything for the Rays. Toby Hall is still the best home grown catcher in Rays history.
tstats
He’s been lit up lately after the sticky stuff was unstuck
Sideline Redwine
He had a great month. And it was a truly great month. But otherwise, not much going on…but I am still surprised. He is the most solid and consistent starter the Rays have this year (after Glas went down)…which says something.
How are the Rays doing so well with such mediocre starting pitching???
Samuel
Rays don’t use starters as other teams do. Oftentimes they just want 3-4 innings out of them and will even use an opener from the bullpen to pitch the first inning or two.
The Rays are interested in winning the game, not concerned with leading after 5 or 6 innings. Last nights game against the Indians was typical – and they beat a terrific bullpen.
The Rays thinking and strategies are light years ahead of any other MLB organization. As I noted above, they said in April that the plan was to have veteran starters hold the fort until young pitchers were brought up during the season. This move was the latest in a series designed to have the Rays in position to not only make the playoffs, but get to and win the WS. The strategy was put in place before the season began.
Doug Anderson
I get to watch the Rays every day and I honestly don’t know how they do it. McClanahan has been solid but unspectacular. Fleming has high school stuff but usually gives them 4 to 5 good innings. Yarbrough is pretty damn mediocre. Their offense this year is much better than people think (they’ve scored 3 fewer runs than Toronto). It may just be possible that all their analytics have found a way to measure the mythical intangibles…. OK, that’s most mostly B.S. I just know they’re fun towatch.
willclarkgriswold
Dyer will become a perennial All Star
Blackie
In Double A
Scott Kliesen
Article needs editing. It says Mets made a trade with themselves in the opening sentence.
As for trade itself, Mets fans can’t be too pleased considering Hill’s struggles this summer.
seamaholic 2
Generally a bad idea to acquire pitchers from the Rays. The only exception I can think of, strangely, was the worst front office in baseball, the Rockies, who stole German Marquez a few years ago.
Ryan W
David Price was pretty good for the Tigers
baines03
Mets trade for a guy that relies on the sticky stuff… very Mets.
metsie1
First he’s better than “TBA” and Second he’s probably starting Sunday or Monday. They had no announced starters for this 3 games. (DH Monday) Not exciting but a move that needed to be made, literally.
tidybowlman
TBA has thrown some good games for us. haha
Richard Alicea
He’s the equivalent of Oliver Perez at 50…
Rsox
This sort of seems like one step forward, two steps back. Why trade for a slugger and then trade a starter? Are the Rays that confident that Glasnow and Archer will return and be effective.
On the flip side this is the first time in years that Hill has been healthy so i expect him to injure himself buttoning his Mets jersey as has been their luck this season
Noel1982
He’s averaged 4 and a half innings the last 5 weeks , he might be done ! His curve doesn’t curve so much anymore , his breaking ball doesn’t break much anymore and his slider doesn’t slide ! All he seems to have left is the Kenny powers heater
tstats
Why say breaking ball when you are mentioning the curve and slider… his two breaking balls…
newpony13
He’s just breaking his balls, lighten up!
johnrealtime
He might be done? The takes on this site are wild. He has pitched well, he may not have the stuff that he used to but he is finding new ways to get guys out. And the 4.5 innings is just a case of the Rays being the Rays. Pulling guys early is their thing
bobtillman
I watched Archer on milb.tv last night….seemed pretty sharp. The slider was sliding. Needs to build up innings, but the stuff (what there was) is still there. I’m sure that factors into the equation.
It all depends who the AA guy is. Hunter is obviously flotsam, but I think he was with the Rays before.
brickhaus
It also opens a spot in the rotation for Patino, who is probably an upgrade over Hill right now.
Oldschoolandthemets1980
The mets want pitchers who will give them innings. Then they go out and trade for mr il himself Hill ooh geez. Who’s next Bartolo Colon.
extreme113
When are they gonna give Tropeano a shot as a SP?
Metsfan9
Tropeano got lit up like a Christmas tree by the Pirates. No thanks we don’t need another bum AAAA pitcher starting games
Bill M
Not exactly the most attractive name that’s been mentioned as a possible starter for the Mets but he’s actually having a decent season. Of course, this is a 2 month rental because he’s about a hundred years old and will likely pass out on the way to the mound in the near future.
tidybowlman
What’s the catch? The Rays don’t make crazy trades and this seems… strange.
yandymania
Bad look 24 hours for the cheating rays. Acquire a known juicer and then jettison an aging verteran who specifically signed for peanuts with your club to win a world series
iverbure
How do the rays cheat?
yandymania
read slower
iverbure
Oh imbecile I see. Cheating rays. So every team cheats. Every team has either signed or traded for a ped user in the past. Every pitcher in the league used illegal substances just this year. Welcome to reality.
smuzqwpdmx
There’s one roster spot reserved for cheaters. By adding a steroid user, they had to trade foreign-substance-abuser Hill.
Juan Uribe Profundo
Much respect to Rich Hill for being a player teams want to trade for at an age when most guys are retired.
Blackie
Hill wanted to play close to his Boston home with the Red Sox, Yankees or Mets before the Rays signed him. Good for Hill I hope he continues pitching well.
alwaysgo4two
So Two Towel Tom returns to the Rays….which was his player weekend name a few years ago. Watching Hill pitch was beginning to get scary anyway.
SonnySteele
The Rays have been doing so much with so little for so long that they are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
Rangers29
You know you’re a smart organization when even the “stupid” moves you make seem to not get questioned.
Turd McKenzie
Rays will probably flip Hunter and the Double A kid to Rockies and get Marquez or send them to Minnesota for Berrios.
rocky7
Don’ think even the Rockies or Twins are that dumb…..
Mrsuntan
But there is always the Pirates
BartoloHRball
It could be win/win for both clubs. Salaries are a wash and dyer as a throw-in, fine. Hill’s last half dozen starts are concerning, but if he can turn it around….good for the Mets. Hunter didn’t have a place to contribute this year, so it’s worth rolling the dice w Hill. Hefner and McCann have improved the Mets’ staff, maybe they can help Hill.
phenomenalajs
I agree. People here are trying to read too much into this. Both teams are expecting to have starters return from long term injuries. The Mets may be waiting longer to get Cookie and Thor back than the Rays will have to wait for Glasnow and Archer. DeGrom may have to skip another start, so it’s perfectly reasonable to give Hill a shot. He can’t be any worse than Eickhoff has been (though I don’t blame him for the four errors behind him against the Reds).
BartoloHRball
Exactly! The bar is to pitch better than Eickhoff, who has been cannon fodder most starts. They need to get thru the next few weeks and hopefully Cookie can ease back into the rotation. Hill knows how to pitch, so I’m hoping McCann can put together a good plan. Get 4-5 innings from him, and bridge w. a Gsellman-type. If the Mets can keep hitting, they hopefully can go .500 in his starts. Maghill has looked solid, but a team w only a 3-4 game lead can’t bet on a rookie w limited innings.
BaseballheadNY
Actually Dyer is at low-A. I saw him play last night. What’s the over/under on Hill hitting the IL?
Bob333
I forgot tommy hunter was even still in baseball oft injured pitcher for oft injured pitcher and Hill will make no more that 2 starts before he is DFA’D
citizen
Wacha over Rich Hill? Ouch. this is not 2015.
Sideline Redwine
What? I trust the Rays’ FO, but what??? He is as close as the team has to “an ace”, and his veteran leadership was important to a young pitching staff. Is there something more to the story??? My assumption is another trade is on the horizon…need starting pitchers…especially right-handed starters.
BrewersMVP08
If you’re counting on rich hill to be your guy come playoff time that’s an issue.
I learned to stop questioning anything the Rays do. They got this down to a tee
BartoloHRball
The Rays continue to be one of the best run franchises in baseball. If they had a real payroll they’d be a 95+ win team most years. I watch a lot of AL ball (A’s, Rays, Indians, Royals) w MLB.TV and TB plays solid ball.
therealryan
The Rays won 96 games in 2019, were on a 108 win pace in 2020 and are on a 98 win pace this year. They have a .609 winning percentage since the begining of the 2019 season, which is 99 wins per season. So it seems like the Rays do win 95+ most years.
Sideline Redwine
Defense, pitching, timely hitting, hustle. I used to watch every game on extra innings, but still see plenty.
JoeBrady
Hill’s been getting hit pretty hard since the league outlawed the sticky stuff. I wouldn’t be shocked if he continues to get hit. Or, from another perspective, they signed Hil for $2.5M, got a good half-season out of him, and then flipped him for an RP who might contribute, plus the NYMs 4th rounder from the 2020 draft.
Sideline Redwine
He had that great month and that’s about it. After losing Glas, he was our most consistent guy (which is scary). My issue is that starting pitching is the Rays’ biggest problem right now, so even w age and recent issues…it’s kinda puzzling. (Especially after trading Ryan yesterday, as I felt he would be up and starting by now.) Is Hunter coming back? I guess we’ll see about the position player.
But I like yr point. At the beginning of the year I said I’d be happy if we could get 100 solid innings from him…and here we are.
DarkSide830
poverty franchise
iverbure
Spending doesn’t equal winning. Rays have won more games in the last 5 years than how many teams? All teams that have won less games than the rays are poverty franchises and should be folded.
This just in mlb is now a 6 team league??? What.
More teams should be ran exactly like the rays. I would spend 10 million less than the rays do. It’s clear the less you spend the better the team plays.
DarkSide830
and how many rings do they have?
rct
Their fans (however many of them there are) have gotten to watch exciting meaningful baseball from opening day until the playoffs for the last decade. Very, very few teams get to say that. The OMG RINGZZZZZ argument is juvenile and reductive and overly broad. Rays are one the most successful franchises in sports. Personally, I would rather watch a team that is consistently good/great and always in the hunt than a team that wins a championship then is mediocre/bad for years.
iverbure
Not to mention the playoffs are a complete crapshoot that non intelligent fans haven’t figured out yet. Fangraphs did a study on how much difference a 4 win player would make to a playoff team vs another playoff team in a 7 game series. The difference was so small the conclusion was it’s not even worth trading for that player basically. But you can’t tell that to guys like darkside when the only successful team every year is the one who wins lol.
VonPurpleHayes
@rct As a Phillies fan, I agree with this sentiment. The Phillies gave us great, meaningful baseball from 2007-2011. They got a ring in that time. Since then,they haven’t had 1 significant season. It’s been brutal. Rings are great, but there’s something to be said for just getting to the dance. Playiff baseball is all you can really ask for.
BuJoBi
You never know what the Rays will do from one day to the next. But they just seem to be a little smarter then the rest of us
CNichols
I saw from Joel Sherman on Twitter that Hill has a noticeable spin rate decrease since sticky stuff enforcement went into effect and his stats were noticeably worse during that time frame too.
Seems like the Rays might have adjusted their assessment of him based on that and decided to sell
bobtillman
Ya, Hill has been less than scintillating lately, and the Rays are in a position where every day counts. And I never buy this “positive clubhouse” stuff. Everybody raved about Adrian Gonzales’ “presence” when the Red Sox got him. Turns out everybody hated the guy and held a party when they traded him.
Depends on Adams, whose hit tool is questionable. But he’s athletic, they don’t have much for catching, and they do manage to put players into situations where they can succeed.
Sideline Redwine
Solid point.
Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey
Even somebody who can go out and throw 4 garbage innings instead of 1 is an upgrade for the Mets right now. I doubt he’s the only SP they’ll pick up in the next week.
MatthewLVT17
Exactly. The Mets got a solid veteran back end starter for exactly zero decent trade chips.
rct
Yeah, that’s my feeling as well. Both teams got what they wanted. Rays wanted to unload an aging but established starter who has been struggling lately and the Mets need a live arm to give them some non-embarrasing innings. This isn’t a big move but it satisfies both team’s immediate needs.
davidk1979
Surprising trade but the Mets need arms now and the Rays have lot of young starters and Hill has been struggling lately, I would not count Hill as an innings eater at this stage of his career. I would guess another starter might still be acquired and Hill could be moved to the pen in a few weeks.
Canosucks
Based upon his recent starts and age not looking to good for the Mets but at least they didn’t give up much although Hunter was effective briefly before he got hurt.
The sticky stuff trend is most concerning
Joe It All
He has already thrown 95 innings this year so I’m inclined to think the Rays know they got his best stuff and he will decline down the stretch. 95 innings isn’t an earth shattering amount but Hill is 41 and it’s hard to question the Rays when it comes to trades. They generally come out smelling like a rose.
Oxford Karma
He has made 19 starts. Hasn’t made more than 25 in 14 years. 14. The Rays probably decided at the beginning of the year if they got 15 starts and 75 innings they were happy.
the kutch
I think the Rays are the baseball equivalent of David Bowie…Never stay the same, always looking forward…Bowie would put out an album and I’d listen a couple times and think “this is crap”…pull it out later, and think “okay, I just had to catch up”…It was said once , where Bowie is today, is where we’ll be in 3 years…Ladies and Gentlemen, your Tampa Bay Rays….Always ahead of the rest of us…
Sideline Redwine
Huh. I listen to a lot of Bowie and simply think it is dated. China Girl? Never let me down? Low? Yuk. He made some great music, but he had his share of junk. It’s funny, I consider him to be one who often went with the flow…goodness knows he ruined not only some of his stuff, but that of others as well e.g. Iggy). Imagine how much better Heroes would be w gtrs instead of synth.
Oxford Karma
You have a lot of negative Bowie critique for someone who listened to him a lot. Everybody who has that many albums has a couple clunkers. Not a big fan of heroes either though, so maybe you’re into something.
the kutch
The albums you’re referencing are 40 ish years old, of course they sound dated today…he never “went” with the flow, he created his own flow…much the way I see the Rays creating their own flow, and if you don’t get it, so be it…they obviously know exactly what they’re doing…
alwaysgo4two
Reading the comments it’s impressive how much cred the Rays have built up over the past several years. They trade for you then prepare for 2 things. You’ll have a better year, then you’ll be gone and although you’ll be paid, you’ll rarely get back to that level.
tbfern
This definitely means we’re getting a starter. Idc anymore about what prospects we get in these trades b/c we develop most of them to be great or at least competent enough to compete. We need to win NOW. Getting Cruz, and another frontline starter like Gibson, Berrios, or maybe even Morton again…loving our chances down the stretch.
Sideline Redwine
Morton would be ideal, but heck–I may be a buyer in the NL east! Even the Marlins are not out of it!
Bobby boy
You’re right, the Marlins are still in the NL East
tbfern
This is true! But If I’m the Braves I would call it a wrap on the season being that they haven’t gotten over .500 for most of the season, and sell some of the fringe players like Morton or Smyly and get what you can for next year and beyond. If we’re talking NL East I wouldnt mind stealing Mad Max from the Nats!
Cohn Joppolella
Interesting, did not see this coming at all (but then again I rarely do).
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Love that trades are starting to roll in, significant ones, too.
Albert Belle's corked bat
With the Ray’s track record, I wonder if they can #FreeBritney
mlbnyyfan
It’s obvious I’m not a Mets fan but IMO this doesn’t move the needle at all. The Mets need to put all the chips on the table and go all in this year. New ownership a new regime. Show all of MLB you mean business and the COJONES to make a bold move and try and take over NY like the Nets. Call the Cubs and empty the farm and trade for Bryant, Hendricks and Kimbrel. On other note great trade by the Rays basically trading Hill contract for Cruz.
MatthewLVT17
Depth moves the needle when fighting for a division crown. But you’re right to say this can’t be all the Mets do
Flyby
its probably not all they do but hill hopefully eats innings saving the bullpen from having multiple bullpen games. Coming off a 1/3 season and expecting these guys to have gas down the stretch with this much use is a bigger deal than having the potential of a reliever back in september at earliest if ever for the season or a catcher that is probably 4 years from the mlb if ever. sub 200 avg in A ball at 21 is not a great sign.
Remember the mets are hopefully getting back 2 top of the rotation guys and hill would then become your swing man or piggy back to save some bullpen. Im thinking there will be rust for carrasco for sure and hope thor rebounds quick (alot to ask i know) or becomes the swing man / piggy back with hill to just suck up innings.
rct
This moves the needle a little because the Mets have been running out AAA pitchers and relievers to start games for them. If Hill can give them 5-7 starts down the stretch and keep them in those games, it’s a win for them.
Cosmo2
It’s not meant to move the needle. They were in a spot where they might not have anyone to start a game. They’re already using bullpen games and have add most had to do that back to back which really can’t work. I don’t want them to make any big trades. This serves a definite purpose.
Chisox
He has 95IP? That leaves what 25 more IP. Bet TB gets more innings from hunter
rct
Hunter is on the 60 day IL and news from a few days ago regarding his injury were not good. I would be surprised to see him before September if at all this season.
VonPurpleHayes
This is one of those solid for both teams. Hill will do well in Citifield, a pitcher’s haven. A veteran who can eat innings while the Mets staff gets healthy. Hunter is a serviceable reliever. Dyer seems like minor league depth.
bobtillman
The Rays will probably get more from Archer than they would have from Hill at this point.
Have to think other teams feel the same about Hill. Adams wasn’t even a “ranked” Mets prospect, in a system that’s strong on top. and pretty ugly after you get past #10.
bobtillman
duh…Dyer I mean…
king beas
Definitely a top heavy system but also a system where tylor megill was just ranked in the 20s and has a sub 3 mlb era so far so I do think it’s a solid system to nab players from
nyy17 2
I always got more out of watching Archer than Hank Hill, so I see your point
nyr2k2
The Mets desperately needed a depth arm for the rotation. Hill has been having a tough go of it, sure, but I’ll still take him over Stock or Eickhoff or whoever we had lined up next. Worley or whatever.
Dyer is sort of interesting but he’s still several years away if he ever hits enough to really make it. I mean the Rays are a great player development org but you still gotta think Dyer, 23 at Low-A hitting .194 with a ton of strikeouts, is still a longshot. If he makes it, great for him and the Rays,
Seems like the return was reasonable for TB, though I’m not sure why they wanted to move on from Hill.
YourDreamGM
Hill declining. Young arms, Archer, and whoever the aquire this week are better options going forward.
JayKay
“average sped”
johnnieleeboo
Last night I saw Amir Garrett is getting whacked around. That’s the kind of guy the Rays pick up and overnight he’s a monster.
Particularly the way he’s going recently, Hill might do OK against mediocre opposition, but I don’t thing good hitters–(cough)postseason–would be impressed.
Pitino pitched pretty well last night, tho the Rays broadcasters think he’s tipping his pickoff move. Maybe he’s to get more starts.
VonPurpleHayes
The Mets didn’t get him for the postseason. They got him to eat innings because their staff is depleted with injury.
Sideline Redwine
I liked Patino’s work last night too, but he needs an offspeed pitch. His fastball and slider are solid, but big league hitters can figure out two pitches. I really hope he can stay in rotation, but he needs to expand his arsenal or he is a relief pitcher. A darn good one, though.
dirkg
The take away here is that the Rays saw that Rich Hill is a completely different pitcher post substance crackdown.
It’ll be interesting to see if this is a trend across the league – similar to how steroid power hitters could no longer find jobs.
Extra interest here in that the Rays pivoted mid season during a pennant race. Quite surprising actually.
Dorothy_Mantooth
The Rays must have a rule that they can only have one, 41 year old player on the roster at one time. Enter Cruz, exit Hill. The prospect they are getting back is not overly exciting so they must have some sort of issue with Hill, other than his numbers of late. Hill is a crafty veteran and he’ll figure out his issues in NY, even if it requires a 10 day visit to the IL. I’m surprised the Rays didn’t just move him to a long man in the bullpen if they didn’t like his starts. Wacha is not much better!
Sideline Redwine
Wacha needs to go. NOW.
Bobby boy
The roster spot was more value than Hill
brickhaus
No, Hill just was tradeable. Wacha is even disappointing Fozzie Bear.
nyy17 2
Quite a saintly post, Dorothy
It is interesting what goes into the minds of teams. It seemed in the 80’s that the Red Sox were mandated to have a player with a name ending in ett at all times. Barrett, then Burkett then Beckett.
I remember Bobby Cox seemed to have it in his contract to have a player whose name that contained anco on his roster – Franco, Francouer, Polanco, Blanco. Quite disturbing
raysdude7676
Hill was struggling lately. I’m surprised we could get anything for him. Hunter is solid, but too bad he may not come back this year.
Baz has been great in AAA. He might add some depth for September. Still amazing he was just the PTBNL in the Archer trade.
EasternLeagueVeteran
The mets must not have liked what they saw out of Madison Bumgarner the other day ( his 2nd start back from the IL) or couldnt come together on $$ nor prospects. Interesting trade. The Mets will definitely see if Hill has anything left in the tank, and soon.
whynot 2
Hill’s experience alone should make him a better option than the likes of Stock and Oswalt. Also the move to a pitchers park and the NL may help.
Chief Two Hands
If nothing else, we will get to see him swing a bat again. That’s always amusing. Even Hill seemed to have a sense of humor about it when he was with the Dodgers.
Ryan W
Bumgarner’s contract is negative value for his production these days. Couldn’t imagine anyone even wants to be stuck with him through 2024. He’s a flyer guy right now if the Dbacks didn’t have to pay him
Cosmo2
Arizona would have to eat all of MadBum’s salary to make it worthwhile. Hes barely worth the league minimum right now.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
It’s amazing how much of a journeyman Rich Hill has become. And he’s still be a very good pitcher for a long time
LordD99
Smart pickup by the Rays. They get a decent catching prospect while also jettisoning Hill, who is not a quality starter without the sticky stuff.
nyy17 2
I bet the Rays think he’s over the Hill but I still think they are going to rue McClanahan being in the rotation one of these days.
alwaysgo4two
Hill has gone backwards since he won pitcher of the month for May. Mcclanahan is filthy, just needs to get settled.
nyy17 2
I always found Blanche to be filthy too. Method acting at its best.
Bill M
Nyy, I see what you did there
alwaysgo4two
Dammit….I missed that the first time around. Good one….ya got me.
delete my account please
My take is that I had no idea Tommy Hunter was still collecting those sweet MLB checks.
MatthewLVT17
Depth moves the needle when fighting for a division crown. But you’re right to say this can’t be all the Mets do
aromaa
Yamamoto is rehabbing, not out for season at the moment.
jimthegoat
Interesting. I’ve learned not to second-guess any moves Erik Neander makes but Hill IS a quality starter. And trading a quality starter when you are in the middle of a playoff push would generally be considered inadvisable.
Oldschoolandthemets1980
With all respect to Hill,but I will be completely surprised if we even get anything over 30 innings the rest of the season from hill before he hits the il.
mlbnyyfan
What prospects do the Mets have left if they want to go all in for Bryant/Hendricks or Gallo/Gibson.
whynot 2
I guess you are implying they don’t have any prospects anyone else would want.
Cosmo2
They have plenty top prospects in the lower levels. Definitely enough to get a deal done. Would be stupid to do so, though.
Deleted_User
Allan? Baty? PCA? Ginn?
Robrock30
Are you essentially saying that he is Over the Hill? LOL
mlbnyyfan
Rich is closer to being Under a Hill then Over one.
Android Dawesome
Wasn’t Underhill the name Frodo used at the Prancing Pony? Maybe he is the one that can carry the ring
Cosmo2
Just charge the whole thing to the Underhill account
Dutch Vander Linde
Instead of fishing for salmon, they went ahead and got a goldfish.
Deleted_User
Should have sprung for trout.
jessaumodesto
Did his struggles come at the same
Time as “sticky stuff” started to get banned?
shibbynotdude
Dick Mountain spins a mean vasoline ball
dasit
rays needed to trade hill before his new “no foreign substance” baseline was firmly established
DodgerOK
Hope he doesn’t get blisters. That’s all we heard about when he was in LA.
mcdusty49
It’s Baz time
Buzz Saw
If you look at Hill’s # of starts from a few years ago, if he matches that it means he has about 5-6 starts left before he gets injured.
MarlinsFanBase
Assessment of trade:
Rays will say nothing, while very likely winning another trade.
Most of the rest of the world will say the Rays won the trade, which they very likely did as usual.
Mets PR machine and fans will say they got another Ace. All we can do is congratulate Rich hill on, after so many years in MLB, being traded to the Mets will now have him labeled as an Ace.
whynot 2
How are those Marlins doing? Are those moral victories still doing it for you?
MarlinsFanBase
Doing fine. Remember, we’re in a no-lose season. We gain no matter what.
Is 1986 still doing it for you?
whynot 2
Yes
Cosmo2
Nah. He a 6th starter. 90% of us know this. This is a step up from a waiver wire claim. Of course that 10%.. we’ll, we don’t talk about them.
jim stem
That’s one SP which creates insurance just in case they can’t score another arm. Still think they get another starter who might be under control beyond this year.
MarlinsFanBase
On an unrelated note, as of today, we’ve all got to campaign for the Mets to trade Syndergaard to Cleveland. Some of you know why.
The Baseball Fan
The Mets are too dumb to do that lmao
LH
Thoughts and prayers Rich. Wishing the best for you and your family.
GarryHarris
The Rays are going for veteran Relievers these days
rudyrudnick
this is a good deal for the mets hill was great with the dodgers he can start and help in the bullpen too
SonnySteele
It’s interesting to note that Rich Hill played for 10 teams during his 17 years in MLB but was only traded twice. (From Oakland to the Dodgers in 2016, and now from Tampa Bay to NYM.) Every other time he changed teams he was released and granted free agency.
Painful itch
Now showing on Broadway, “Dick Mountain”
bradthebluefish
Tommy Hunter is a good bullpen arm. Would be a shame if he can’t come back at all this year.
brian214
As a Phillies fan I approve of this trade (although with that said Hill may be better than our 4/5 starters).
Ron Tingley
Looks like the Ray’s knew Hills grip and performance were going down after losing the sticky. Only making 2.5 million this year. Not saving a ton of money by dumping him. I’m sure tommys got to be making a million on his minor league deal as well.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Rays know how to sign pitchers to low risk high reward deals then trade them off for improvements. Rich Hill is injury prone beyond reality so he just isn’t that much of a loss. Smartest managed team in MLB.