The Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract with left-hander Tim Hill, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN on X. Hill, recently released by the White Sox, will only cost the Yankees the prorated league minimum while on their roster. To add him to the active and 40-man rosters, the Yankees will need to make corresponding moves.
Hill, 34, is known for his ground ball pitching and had signed a one-year, $1.8MM deal with the White Sox in the offseason. The White Sox anticipated he would be a reliable veteran presence in their bullpen, but his performance was subpar, with a 5.87 ERA in 27 appearances. Consequently, he was designated for assignment and eventually released, as he had enough service time to reject an outright assignment while keeping his salary.
Despite his high ERA, Hill’s ground ball rate is impressive, standing at 60.5% throughout his career, compared to the league average of around 43%. This season, he has improved to a 65.6% ground ball rate, although his .436 BABIP suggests poor luck or subpar defense behind him, as evidenced by the White Sox’s -19 Outs Above Average and -49 Defensive Runs Saved.
Hill’s strikeout rate is a low 11%, but the Yankees likely see potential for improvement. With better defense and luck, his ERA could decrease, supported by his 3.45 FIP and 3.89 SIERA. Given that the White Sox will cover most of his remaining salary, the Yankees’ investment in Hill is minimal, making this a low-risk move with potential upside. If it doesn’t work out, the Yankees can easily move on.
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