The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with decisions to make on four free agents, including a pair of left-handed starting pitchers in Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill.
After a career 2019 season in which he posted the lowest ERA among qualified starters, Ryu wound up signing a four-year, $90 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers were reportedly willing to match the length of the pact, but not the average annual salary in which Ryu received.
Hill’s free agency outlook was much more uncertain after undergoing surgery to reattach a torn portion of the UCL in his left elbow. The operation will keep him sidelined through at least June of the 2020 season and possibly longer.
Hill nevertheless drew interest from upwards of 10 teams, including the Dodgers and his hometown Boston Red Sox. While both of those clubs were atop Hill’s wishlist, he ultimately signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.
During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Hill reflected on his time with the Dodgers, speaking highly of the organization and the fans who supported him along the way:
“That’s the tough side of this game, it’s a business at the end of the day. Obviously we would’ve loved to come back to L.A. Loved the people in L.A., they were good to me, they were good to my family. That was something I’ll never forget. Loved putting on a Dodger uniform. I’ll look back and say that was one of the best moments of my career, being able to be a Dodger. … I loved the intensity of the fans in L.A. and the passion they brought. I just hoped I reciprocated that out there on the mound.”
Hill emerged as a fan favorite during his time with the Dodgers in addition to being a respected voice in the clubhouse. In 69 games (68 starts) over parts of four seasons with the organization, he compiled a 30-16 record, 3.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP and 1.08 WHIP across 361.1 innings pitched.
When he’s cleared to return, Hill will look to bolster a Twins starting rotation that took a big step forward last season en route to 101 wins and their first American League Central title since 2010.
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