Oakland Athletics: What Would a Rich Hill Trade Look Like?

The trade market for starting pitchers has picked up steam since Drew Pomeranz was traded to the Boston Red Sox. With so many potential playoff teams needing to add depth to their rotations, Oakland Athletics left-hander Rich Hill should fetch a fairly big return.

Rich Hill has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League this season… now let that sink in. Before making a couple of good starts with the Red Sox at the end of the 2015 season, the now 36-year-old was a true journeyman pitcher, making appearances on five different teams in six years. Most of these outings were in the bullpen, not as a starting pitcher. Before making four starts last year, Hill hadn’t appeared as a starter since 2009. But as hard as it is to believe, Hill has turned into one of the more valuable pitchers on the trading block.

Currently, Hill has a 2.25 ERA and is striking out over ten hitters per nine innings. He’s had a little trouble with walks when he is on the mound, but his ERA and strikeout rate rank first among eligible American League starters, even though the Athletics ace has not accumulated the number of innings needed to be officially placed at the top of the list. There are two concerns that teams could have when contemplating whether they should give up the type of prospects they would need to in order to land Hill, which are his health and salary situation.

Hill is going to have his next start skipped due to a blister on his throwing hand. This is the second time that the has missed scheduled starts in 2016. He had to go on the disabled list in June because of a groin injury, but he has been productive in his last couple starts in his return to the rotation. The Athletics are probably just being cautious with one of their valuable trade chips, but it is still a concern given that he will only be a rental for the rest of the year.

With Hill hitting free agency after this year, he may not bring back a prospect like Anderson Espinoza, but the Athletics may also have to limit their expectations with some other factors at play. It is possible that Oakland could try to attach Billy Butler and his contract to help to shed some money as they look to next season. If a team takes on Butler’s contract, the club would have to expect that the type of haul they could get to significantly decrease, even though it may be worth it to be relieved of Butler’s salary.

Rich Hill is one of the most interesting trade candidates for many reasons. His track record, injury questions and impending free agency makes it difficult to project where he goes and the value he brings back. Here are a few possible deals that may go down for the Athletics lefty.

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