MLB Christmas Returns: Free Agents Teams Wish They Kept the Receipt For
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Dodgers: Rich Hill
Being a Dodger fan, I like Rich Hill as much as the next guy. The left-hander is a true journey-man, and has mastered the little league style of pitching with only two pitches and ten arm slots. His performance in the NLCS against the Cubs was masterful, and he definitely can provide something different to the table for a full season in Los Angeles. With Los Angeles stressing advanced statistics such as spin rate, Hill will be a great fit into Andrew Friedman’s system. That is why it hurts me to say that the Dodgers ultimately missed the mark in bringing back Rich Hill.
Rich Hill is 36 years old, which is fairly old in baseball terms. Hill has had a weird twelve-year career, and until recently hasn’t shown any signs of being a big contributor. Hill also is very injury prone, his Dodger debut was delayed multiple times over a blister on his throwing hand. He seems to have every red flag in the book, age, injuries, and inconsistency. Yet the Dodgers still signed Hill to a three-year, 48 million dollar deal with no club option. Hill would have been a great acquisition for a year, or if they included a club option. However with his track record the amount of money being dished out simply doesn’t make sense.
Sure, it is very possible that Hill proves me wrong and shows us that everything gets better with age. However, his ceiling seems to be one season of being solid. After 2017 I cannot see Hill thriving in Los Angeles. Hitters will learn his style, and his inconsistencies will ultimately catch up to him. As much as I love Rich Hill, the Dodgers are going to wish they can return him in 2018.