*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*
The Pittsburgh Pirates are going the veteran Jose Quintana route that they did last offseason. The Pirates and LHP Rich Hill have agreed to a one year, $8 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal has been confirmed.
Hill has remained an effective pitcher even into his 40's, entering his age 43 season in 2023. He has a 4.14 FIP and 3.92 ERA since the start of the 2020 season, with 8.11 strikeouts per 9 innings. He still minimizes hard contact, ranking in the 88th percentile of hard hit rate in 2020 and the 79th percentile in 2021 and 2022.
Last season was Hill's 18th year in the majors, this one with the Boston Red Sox. He recorded a 1.30 WHIP, 4.27 ERA, and 3.92 FIP, throwing 124 1/3 innings while striking out 109 hitters in 26 starts for the Red Sox.
The Pirates will become the 12th team that Hill has suited up for in his career. He has spent 3 stints with the Red Sox, in addition to time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles.
By adding Hill, the Pirates hope he can be a veteran force in a rotation full of youngsters. Besides Hill and Vince Velasquez, everyone who could play a part in the rotation is under 27 years old. The hope is that Hill and Velasquez can mentor the young kids the Pirates have while making starts every 5th day.
Hill has 18 years with 11 teams under his belt. In that time, he has recorded a 3.85 ERA, 3.98 FIP, and 1.23 WHIP, making 221 starts and 129 relief appearances, throwing 1,259 innings in that time. Hill has a 3.06 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, throwing 53 innings across 12 starts and one relief appearance in the postseason.
As things stand, Hill joins Velasquez, Roansy Contreras, Mitch Keller, and JT Brubaker as the likely opening day rotation. Velasquez and Hill are among an offseason of additions that include Connor Joe, Ji-Man Choi, Austin Hedges, Carlos Santana, Jose Hernandez, and Dauri Moreta.
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