The Boston Red Sox starting rotation is currently in shambles, especially after losing left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to the Detroit Tigers.
The Red Sox tried to re-sign Rodriguez, but the Tigers’ offer was superior: he ended up signing a five-year, $77 million deal.
Boston currently has Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, and a lot of question marks in the rotation.
There has been talk that Garrett Whitlock, one of the team’s relief aces in 2021, will be moved to the rotation in 2022.
He actually began his career as a starter in the New York Yankees’ farm system.
However, more help is needed, and an old friend may be willing to get himself in the team’s plans.
Rich Hill, the veteran left-hander, is currently a free agent after pitching 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets.
He has made it clear he wants to keep pitching at 42 years old.
Contenders are always looking for pitching, so he will have a solid market.
A Familiar Face
Hill pitched in Boston from 2010 to 2012 and then again in 2015, with mostly positive results but very few innings because of injuries.
In his last stint with the Sox, six years ago, he pitched 29 innings, and had a 1.55 ERA.
At this stage of his career, Hill can’t be counted on to pitch 200 or even 170 innings.
However, he remains effective every time he takes the mound.
In 2021, he managed to pitch 158.2 innings and finished with a solid 3.86 ERA.
Hot Stove update: Free agent Rich Hill, 41, is planning to pitch in 2022, according to his agent, Seth Levinson. Hill had a 3.86 ERA over 158 2/3 innings this season with the Rays and Mets. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 6, 2021
He was equally solid with the Rays (3.87 ERA in 95.1 frames) and the Mets (3.84 ERA in 63.1 innings).
He clearly doesn’t have any issues handling the tough American League East division.
A reunion makes a lot of sense, because the pitcher needs a job and the team needs a reliable starter (or three).
He Is Still An Effective Pitcher
Hill, who was born in Massachusetts, had a 1.21 WHIP and 150/55 K/BB ratio across 158.2 innings (32 appearances, 31 starts) last season.
Hill’s curveball remains one of the most effective weapons in MLB, as well as one of the most aesthetically pleasing pitches in the league.
The Red Sox are also monitoring the market for other arms for their pitching staff, and it’s unclear if they would be interested in bringing back Hill.
But they should, given his projected cost (which could be lower than some of the top free agent targets, such as Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray, or Carlos Rodon) and recent success.
Hill’s best days are surely behind him, but it should be pointed out that he hasn’t had an ERA over 4.00 in any season since 2013, when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians.
Hill won’t lead the league in ERA, and especially not in innings pitched; but his per-inning effectiveness and reliability make him a logical fit for what the Red Sox are looking for in the current market.
Could we be looking at Rich Hill donning the Red Sox jersey for the third time 👀 pic.twitter.com/VxTNznJ40a
— Red Sox Nation (@RedSoxNationCP) November 26, 2021
Boston should bring in multiple starters during the offseason, and one of them should definitely be Hill.
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