Tampa Bay Rays add another question mark in Rich Hill

The Tampa Bay Rays rotation will look drastically different in 2021. Both Blake Snell and Charlie Morton are gone, having been replaced with Michael Wacha and Chris Archer. While those moves saved money, it is difficult to argue that the Rays are particularly better due to those changes.

On Friday night, the Rays made added another question mark to their rotation. They have come to terms with Rich Hill, signing him to a one year deal worth $2.5 million.

Rich Hill an interesting gamble for the Tampa Bay Rays

There is no questioning what Hill can bring the Rays if he is healthy. Despite mediocre velocity, he has been one of the more impressive pitchers in the game when he is on the mound. However, that is the biggest question – ongoing blister issues and various injuries have limited Hill to just 476 innings over the last five years.

Hill did show some signs of slippage in 2020. He posted a strong 3.03 ERA and a 1.164 WHiP in his 38.2 innings, but there was still reason for concern. Hill struck out just 31 batters, posting his lowest K/9 rate since a four inning stint in 2010. His 17 walks led to a 4.0 BB/9 rate, his highest since his career renaissance in 2015.

At 41 years old, it is fair to wonder if Father Time has begun to catch up with Hill. However, it is entirely possible that his struggles were due to the abbreviated nature of the 2020 campaign. While Tampa Bay is not making a large expenditure, they appear to be banking on the second likelihood.

If nothing else, this is another relatively low cost gamble for the Rays. Hill can easily outperform his modest contract if he is healthy. He had defied the odds before, and given the Rays seemingly uncanny ability to find bargains, it would not be a surprise if that happens again.

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed Rich Hill to a one year deal. He may be a gamble, but it is one that could easily pay off.