MLB: Starting Pitchers that could potentially be on the trading block

Rich Hill (Oakland Athletics)

2016 Stats: 4-3/2.39 ERA/3.8 BB9/11.0 SO9/3.09 FIP

Rich Hill has been nothing more than a journeyman pitcher when he signed with the Boston Red Sox last season. However, the soft tossing lefty performed very well with a disappointing Red Sox team, and turned his success into a solid one year, $10 million deal with the Athletics this past offseason.

Hill has picked up where he left off to start this season as he has been the A’s best starter thus far.  The 36 year-old is averaging 11 strikeouts a game, which is astonishing because of his lack of a dominant fastball. According to Fangraphs, Hill throws his low 90’s heater around half of the time when he makes a start. However, his real out-pitch is his looping curveball that is under 15 mph less than his fastball. This keeps hitters off balance and makes his fastball seem faster than what it actually is.

There are a couple of factors of concern with Hill though. One is that he does not have a track record of success in the league and he is performing like this in his late 30’s. Another concern is that teams should always been concerned about is that he is pitching in Oakland, which has undoubtedly produced better numbers for starting pitchers. While he is racking up many strikeouts, this has been a trend for many former A’s pitchers.

Overall, Hill could be performing the best out of any pitcher on the trading block, and being that he is going to be a free agent after this season and the A’s probably won’t be strong contenders, teams will most likely not have to pay that large of a price for him.

Potential Fits: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants

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