Rich Hill still wants to pitch in MLB.
According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the 45-year-old, Boston native has been working out and throwing with the hopes of signing with a team.
Big thanks to Rich Hill for coming in and doing a Q&A with my comm class at BC tonight ... and for those wondering: he's working out, still throwing, feels great and wants to sign with a team soon. Couple teams expressing serious interest, including one in AL East (not Red Sox).
The Tampa Bay Rays boast a stout starting rotation and bullpen, which leaves the New York Yankees (injury-depleted and in need of innings-eaters, but should be content with their bullpen), the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Baltimore Orioles, both of which could use pitching support.
Of the American League East teams, the Orioles feel like the best fit for Hill. Baltimore currently leads the Majors in ERA at a dreadful 5.48 clip, and while Hill is better-suited for bullpen duties at this stage in his career, it is in no position to refuse arms.
Hill, a 20-year veteran, most recently played for the Red Sox in 2024, making four appearances with a 4.91 ERA and a 7.26 FIP over three and 2/3 innings. That was the (seemingly) final of his four stints in Boston.
From 2010-2012, Hill pitched in 40 games with a 1.14 ERA and a 2.32 FIP out of the bullpen. He rejoined the Red Sox in 2015, but dealt with elbow and shoulder injuries and was limited to just 29 innings.
Then, he returned to Boston for the 2022 season as a 42-year-old starter and went 8-7 with a decent 4.27 ERA and a 3.92 FIP.
Should Hill sign with a team, he would provide the clubhouse with a veteran presence, and while he still may be an effective pitcher, his off-field mentorship may be his most appealing quality.
For years, Hill was best as a lefty specialist, and even with the relatively new three-batter minimum rule, he is worthy of one last contract.
