Rich Hill revealed on The Bradfo Sho podcast earlier this week that he’s had preliminary talks with the Red Sox about a return to Boston next season, saying that the two sides have “mutual interest” in a deal. Hill, 42, will be a free agent at the conclusion of the post-season.
“We’ve talked and had lunch with a few of the guys in the front office, and understand that there’s a mutual interest there,” Hill said. “Being able to stay home would be great.”
The Massachusetts native signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox last December, and turned in 124 1/3 innings of 4.27 ERA ball across 26 starts. Despite being the oldest active player in the majors, Hill didn’t show any signs of decline in 2022, and advanced metrics were all largely in line with his past few years of work. His strikeout rate dipped slightly from 22.7% in 2021 to 20.7% in 2022, but there were no major changes to his velocity and the lefty walked fewer batters as well (7% in ’22 down from 8.3% in ’21). He did miss a month in July due to a knee strain, and while there’s always some durability concern with a player entering their age-43 season, he’s still made 57 starts in the past two seasons.
Given the state of the Red Sox’ rotation and the fact that Hill lives in the Boston area, it’s no surprise that the two sides are interested in getting a deal done. Nick Pivetta is the most reliable starter under contract for next year, while rookie Brayan Bello showed promise in his 11 starts, but beyond that there’s a lot of uncertainty. Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha combined for 43 starts in 2022, but they join Hill as pending free agents. Former ace Chris Sale is a lock to opt in to the remaining two years, $55MM on his contract (with a $20MM vesting option in ’25), but he’s made just 11 starts in the past three seasons and while he’s expected to be fit for spring training, his injury history is a concern. The team turned to youngsters Garrett Whitlock, Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski for starts at points last season, but none is guaranteed to be a rotation option in 2023.
Ultimately, if the Red Sox are looking to compete in a crowded AL East they’ll need to upgrade their rotation. While Hill going into his age-43 season is not the big splash Sox fans may be hoping for, the team will surely need more than one starting pitcher addition, so a reunion with the veteran would solidify the rotation and likely wouldn’t come at a huge financial cost.
Genuinely great feel-good story, but the reality is that if you are having conversations to pencil this guy into your rotation, you probably don’t have too high of hopes for your season. It’s been years since he was the kind of guy you’d pencil into a playoff-level roster.
Yeah but it mentions that he’s not going to cost too much. Seems like a good depth piece to their rotation potentially
Exactly. Hill is what he is. Expect 100 starting innings at the back end of the rotation. If you GET more, great but if the team NEEDS more from him, 23 will likely be another list season.
If he signs midway through the season then cool that means they still are in contention but if it’s to start the season that means they will be heavily relying on him which is not a good sign and Simon is probably that one poster who thinks a player has to opt into an existing contract
It works because you have Chris sale for half the season then plug in Rich Hill for half the season. Perfect plan.
LOL
I’d love to have him back as the long reliever
For an older guy that’s too tough to be ready. You need those 5 days recovery and mental preparation for the next start.
Will Hill stay so long that he become the oldest Pitcher to ever Pitch?
I know he has many years to go still but it feel like he has been around since I was born and I am eight years older than him!
I don’t think he’s topping satchel
He was the second oldest active player, oldest pitcher this past regular season.
I wonder if they have any interest in bringing back Luis Tiant? He’s only 81.
Should bring him back to retire number 23. Once the team changed their rules to retire Papi’s number before he was voted into the HOF, they should have retired both his 23 and Evans’ 24.
I doubt Tiant could do the windup now. Probably has hip issues.
Over Under 100 Career Wins ?
The truth is Rich Hill pitched some great games this season, and that he is still one of the 200 or so best starting pitchers in the world of baseball.
He isn’t the sexy option at this point in his career, but he is still a nice arm in the rotation. A lot of arms to replace him, but to even be in the conversation at 42 years old is a triumph that speaks to his ability.
Rich Hill is an all time great.
Longevity doesn’t equal greatness son
Its bwmiller, what did you expect? A good take lol.
Kids say the darnedest things….
Rich is gonna die on the hill.
Seems like a no brainer to sign Hill. 1 year 7m or 2 years 10m should get it done
Rich Hills biggest accomplishment has been grifting teams into thinking that he is a part of their starting rotation. He has made it through one, maybe two seasons of a full workload in almost 20 years
I’ve always hoped for Rich Hill to pitch for the Angels again to redeem himself and his infinite ERA with the team.
Ugh…
I am not sure Hill can function with a pitch clock. Will be interesting to see all the Balls/Walks and then his displeasure over it.
I am not sure Hill can function with a pitch clock.
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Hill always looked like a fast worker to me. His pitch might take 5-6 seconds to reach the catcher, but he gets rid of it pretty quickly.
He very vocally was complaining about it, in no small part because he takes 30-40 seconds between pitches.
because he takes 30-40 seconds between pitches.
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I knew this couldn’t right, so you forced to actually do some real work.
Hill, as I thought, averaged 15.3 seconds, which was the best on the RS.
And, at a minimum of 500 pitches, he ranked #24 out of 215 eligible pitchers. That makes him one of the quickest pitchers in all of baseball.
Anything else? Okay, NEXT!
In 5 of 8 wins this season, Hill’s games took from 2:24 to 2:57 game time; in 4 of his 7 losses, the game times took from 2:37 to 2:55.
Red Sox prepping for another last place finish. Maybe they can sign Mike Torres away from the yanks and get Boddicker from the Orioles ? Life time Sox fan kinda confused on their current methods. They have holes everywhere.
could not agree more. thank god we fired DD and brought in the great Chaim Bloom
I agree with your point but ftr dombrowski didn’t get fired he refused to carry out Henry’s plan of operating like a small market team
I am cheering for the Phillies to at least get to the WS to vindicate DD. He was brought in to win it all and he succeeded. 29 other teams wish they could be as successful. Sucks to do your job and then get slapped in the face.
Henry’s plan of operating like a small market team
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I must’ve missed something. When did we become a small market team? The headlines I read was that we got hit with a penalty for spending too much.
Offseason hasn’t even started yet and as usual the Bloom haters are in full force.
I still say let’s see what he does THIS off season with practically a clean slate and a lot of money off the books. Then judge him.
Sorry to say there is one caveat though. Not much out there to sign. Who really do you want that’s available? Anyway, this is the offseason to make a Bloom judgment. Not before.
Sigh him to a one or two year deal.
I think he’s still got some quality innings left in him, but not enough to count on for a full season starter’s workload. I’d be good with them signing him to a $5-7m base with incentives based on innings and/or appearances and using him for rotation depth and long relief.. I expect they’ll have Bello and maybe one other youngster like Whitlock or Mata in the rotation but probably need two more.
Hill is a great fit for the small market Red Sox. The Sox own a mansion, but are choosing to live in a tent in the backyard. But, “the farm system,” right. No plan. No direction. No identity. No leadership on high.
Tent life.
I’m not one to count out the Red Sox giving their history of bouncing back from terrible seasons, however admittedly, that was with different gms.
I will say Bloom isn’t long for the Red Sox if he doesn’t right the ship quick because John Henry does not like losing. Playing around like a small market team is a Bloom choice, not a Henry choice, at least that is what I’m lead to believe given Henry’s pervious track record of doing business.
Agreed, 36. However, I think Henry conjured-up this Tampa-like approach and fit Bloom into that thinking. Either way, Bloom needs, minimum, a 90-win season to maintain his position – I agree with your central point. Strange dealings in Boston. I really hope XB sticks around, but feel that is unlikely.
30, So who are you blaming now? I thought you always blamed Bloom but now you’re saying it’s on Henry and it’s his plan.., or rather non plan. You’re all over the place.
No, I’ve been perfectly consistent throughout. Another last place finish – you noticed, Gary? Bloom has done a terrible job – awful. But, Henry hired Bloom. My ultimate criticism is the lack of direction with this franchise. Henry is responsible for hiring Bloom, Bloom has made no progress with this failed model, and now all you company-man-Sox-fans are running out of time and topics. I’ve been perfectly consistent throughout. The Red Sox have an identity crisis. By the way, Gary, who are all these can’t-miss prospects that only certain Sox fans seem to notice?
Magic beans, Gary. I’ll get you a good deal!
I see what you’re saying and yes it’s obvious… the Red Sox have not won the World Series every year. In fact there’s been some last place finishes thrown in. What are we to do? Cry I guess, complain I guess, blame ownership and management and the coaches in the dugout I guess.
But what I like to do is begin anew, and look upon each season as a fresh start. Can I do anything about who the Red Sox hire or who owns the team? No I cannot.
People are different and I accept that. Some people feel good when they complain about things they can’t change, and some people feel good when they look forward to the possibility of a better result.
Go Sox !!
Gary, you’re going to knock the wind out of yourself if you’re not careful – self-righteous nonsense. Good luck, Gary.
I don’t expect the Sox to compete for a play off spot this year, so this signing is fine. I just see it as a bridge to 2024. It gives the younger players another year to get settled in.
A snapshot of what’s wrong with MLB pitching in my opinion…..The Red Sox being interested in a 42 year old starting pitcher who averaged less than 5 innings per start last year.
Roy Halladay was the last of his kind – I agree, Werbellik. You watched “Facing Nolan” yet? Things have changed.
I think the game now is just accumulating another SPs to give you 900 quality innings. Ideally, and this has been true for a while now, you want two #1 types, and another 4-5, maybe 6, #3 and #4 types, that don’t cost much money.
Typically for the RS, any pitcher that can pitch to a league-average ERA, should be a winning pitcher.
Wakefield version 2.0.
I think Wakefield could still pitch if he wanted. A good knuckleball is still worth a 4 ERA no matter the age of the pitcher
“Rich Hill and Bill Lee and pray for Rain.”
They are classics like “Sweet Caroline” and “Take me out to the ballgame.’
Rich needs to finish his career in Boston.
How many times has Neil Diamond himself sung Sweet Caroline at Fenway? Educated guess. Anyone?
20 times? Just a wild guess. Could be way off. Probably way off LOL
Crap, just looked it up. Only twice. Now I know why I don’t gamble LOL
I think I was going by Kate Smith and the Flyers God Bless America. I thought that was a big number also. Only 4 times live for her. Remind me not to push “publish comment” so fast next time !!
Barring some major signings (which I doubt) the “plan” is to keep the payroll down, milk the public dry and set up a profitable product to sell.Henry does not care about winning anymore he has diversified to the point of not caring!
the “plan” is to keep the payroll down
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I continue to be amused by the folks that think we have a small payroll.
I nominate Rich Hill for the “Jamie Moyer award”.
Sox got 10-15 more starts out of him then they probably thought they would so i don’t see why they wouldn’t bring him back for another year at cheap price
NO! Just NO! League minimum fine…otherwise NO
Kinda weird for boston. He’d have to take a cheaper contract right? 2.5 mil at best?
I would drop to $1.750 M, with inning incentives going from 25, 40 50, 75 and 100.
$1 Million per achievement. Year 2 $2 M Guaranteed with the same incentive levels
No thanks!
Resign Wacha, Trade for Pablo Lopez (Marlins), look into Syndegard and build the bullpen.