The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the re-signing of starting pitcher Rich Hill to a three-year, $48 million contract. The reunion essentially nets the Dodgers the best starter who was available on the open market this offseason.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi both referred to re-signing Hill as one of the Dodgers’ priorities.
At the time of being acquired from the Oakland Athletics prior to the non-waiver trade deadline in August, the left-hander was 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA, 2.53 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. Hill led American League pitchers (minimum 75 innings) in ERA and home runs allowed per nine innings (0.24).
However, he was on the 15-day disabled list at the time of being traded due to a nagging blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand.
Multiple setbacks and delays prevented Hill from making his Dodgers debut until Aug. 24. He was an immediate bright spot, turning in six shutout innings against the San Francisco Giants.
Although the Dodgers closely monitored Hill in each start and erred on the side of caution more times than not, he proved to be every bit of the ace they expected.
Hill went 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA in six starts for Los Angeles. Overall, he finished the season 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA, 2.39 FIP and 0.99 WHIP in 20 starts. The 36-year-old went 1-1 with a combined 3.46 ERA in three postseason starts, one of which came on short rest — a first for Hill in his career.
The Dodgers reportedly had interest in re-signing Hill to a multiyear contract prior to free agency beginning. There was some thought Hill preferred a return to the East Coast, but he spoke with enthusiasm over a potential return.
Along with the Dodgers, the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers were reported among the teams with varying degrees of interest in Hill.
Since returning to the Majors in September 2015 with the Boston Red Sox, Hill has gone 14-6 with a 2.00 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 0.93 WHIP and averaged 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings over 24 starts.
