The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t have many players reach free agency this offseason, and one — David Freese — announced his retirement. Meanwhile, Rich Hill, Russell Martin and Hyun-Jin Ryu remain available on the open market.
Hill’s free agency is affected by a surgery he underwent to attach a torn portion of the UCL in his left elbow. The operation is expected to sideline the veteran at least until the midpoint of the 2020 season.
Despite facing the long recovery, Hill recently was said to have drawn interest from as many as 10 teams. That was followed by the Dodgers being among the clubs that have been in contact with Hill and his representatives.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570, the Dodgers remain in the picture to potentially re-sign the southpaw, and the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins also have interest:
Multiple teams are in talks to sign Rich Hill this winter including #Dodgers #RedSox #Twins
Hill is on target to begin throwing program in January and expects to be game ready in June.— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) December 18, 2019
After the Dodgers were eliminated in the National League Division Series, Hill gave an impassioned speech to defend Clayton Kershaw, speak highly of the organization and express a desire to re-sign with the team.
“I would love to get the opportunity to come back here and wear the Dodger uniform again. It was a great honor,” he said. “Hopefully something will play out and I can come back into this locker room and be part of this club.”
One advantage the Dodgers may hold over other teams is their pitching depth would allow for Hill to steadily go through the recovery process without pressure to return. Furthermore, L.A. figures to be among the World Series favorites in 2020.
If Hill were to sign with the Red Sox, it would mark a bit of a homecoming. Not only does he hail from the area, but Hill pitched for Boston during parts of the 2010-2012 seasons and again in 2015, which revitalized his career.
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