Please Bring Rich Hill Back To The Red Sox

It isn’t news that the Red Sox have to trim payroll. Recent reports indicate that a trade of David Price is going to happen. Not if, but when. Price looks like the guy who will get moved. When that happens, the Sox will have a huge hole in their rotation. If things go well a rotation featuring Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Nathan Eovaldi has potential. If Martin Perez has a good year, maybe he’s a reliable 4 or 5 starter. Still, the Sox need one more guy and they don’t have a ton of pitching coming from the minors. Please bring Rich Hill back to the Red Sox.

This makes too much sense. Hill, 39, is a free agent. Just because he’s old and doesn’t throw hard doesn’t make him a bad pitcher. Since 2015, Rich Hill has been awesome. Brian Bannister put some voodoo magic on him and turned him into a stud. 2015 sported an ERA of 1.55. 2016 sat at 2.12. 2017 featured an ERA of 3.32. 2018 with an ERA of 3.66. This past year, an ERA of 2.45. Who wouldn’t take that?

Hill is old and doesn’t throw hard. That means he’s cheap. Given that production, it’s hard not to get surplus out of that. Yes, Hill has dealt with injuries in the past. He’s also the perfect spot starter or swing guy in the bullpen that can eat innings. Doesn’t matter how you use him, Rich Hill can pitch. Hill has a looping curveball nobody can seem to hit. The fastball plays faster than it really is.

This makes too much sense for the Red Sox. Hill was born and raised in Boston. He’s a Massachusetts guy at heart. Why not finish your career with the Sox. Why not bring the hometown kid back. This Red Sox team is still extremely talented. Adding a piece like Hill to round out the roster is the kind of guy that gets you to the promise land.