Interesting, Daytona saying Hill on rehab start?

by Ivy Walls on Jul 17, 2008 11:31 AM CDT

Officially Rich Hill is not on the DL, but by moving him to AZL effectively the Cubs treated him as such. The Daytona newspaper today printed an interesting promo for tonight's game.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Fort Myers, RHP Deolis Guerra (9-4, 4.28); Daytona Beach, LHP Rich Hill (no record, rehab start).

REASON TO GO: A major league pitcher, Hill is making a rehabilitation start for Daytona. He last played for the Daytona Cubs in 2004, when he was making his way to the big leagues. It's also Thirsty Thursday, which means 12-ounce draft beers are $1, and 32-ounce beers are $3.

Generally speaking, Minor League rehab assignments for Major League pitchers can last up to 30 days (as opposed to 20 days for position players), pursuant to Rule 9(f) of the Major League Rules. The player is taken care of by the Rules, in that he continues to draw his Major League salary and accrue Major League service time while playing on the farm.

So is Rich Hill on some secret disabled list or are they merely using the process to bring him back?

If one looks at the calendar then we could expect that July 22nd he will start with West Tenn, and then July 27th with Iowa. Is calling it a rehab start getting around some roster issues with the minor league clubs? When he was assigned to AZL originally was he officially placed on the DL then but not published. This all seems small even trivial, but it also begs the question----what actually is going on with Hill?

Furthermore when you look at the landscape the obvious is at hand, no different when the Cubs needed (or Piniella wanted) a CF'er who could hit left handed with power. Then Edmonds gets released and within five days Cubs sign him for the league [opportunity] minimum and after good coaching suddenly Edmonds has fulfilled the role desired.

Next Cubs needed (or Piniella wanted) a bona fide top of the rotation starter, Sabathia was not available but Harden was (and he is not a FA---maybe good or bad) but the Cubs got a bona fide. Now they have three All Star level starters and the best #4 starter in the league(s) in Lilly. But the Cubs need (or Piniella wants) another left handed starter and there in the minors is Hill, last year 11-8 (18-15 career) is coming through the system.

To me the landscape is telling me that by luck, hook or crook the Cubs are trying to get Hill ready by August 1st. The options are to trade Marquis (money dump) and gather a left-handed closer type reliever (what Piniella also wants) or even move him on a waiver deal.

Poll

Will Hill be in the rotation the first week of August?

Yes, replacing Marquis

46 votes

No, stuck in Iowa

69 votes

other

25 votes

don't care

5 votes

145 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

I think this is a case of

A minor league beat reporter who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

I voted no in the poll above, but I would not be surprised if he is back by the end of August.

Zambrano viciously attacked a pair of watercoolers for the crime of being within his line of vision. It was a classic battle of man versus inanimate object.

by berselius on Jul 17, 2008 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

+1

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 17, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Who Knows

I would love for Hill to be back in the rotation, but he is clearly working through a mental bloc, so it seems impossible to say what will happen and when, or if, he will be back in the big leagues

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Jul 17, 2008 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

I doubt if it is actually a mental issue

I always find it coincidental that so many fans believe things are ‘mental’ when they are fundamental or mechanical. Reports from AZ state that Hill has adjusted his delivery mechanics by pitching or delivering more straight up instead of the rock back Fernando approach (which took his eye off the target—-a fundamental). Once making this adjustment his command improved measurably.

Mental is what people accuse Marquis having by not pitching to contact (AKA pitching aggressively) that is mentally not throwing strikes by approach (and fear).

But rumors and ignorance die hard. Hill is a genuine talent. He is tall so his mechanics can get out of whack easily. He would become dominant with a commanding straight change where he could then flash his big breaking curve ball and then using both to set up his fastball.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 17, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't disagree...

...he has mechanical issues, but I would add there is ample evidence he has difficulty dealing with issues between his ears. All you have to do is watch his body language when he gets in the least bit of trouble, and you can conclude he has difficulty keeping his mind on the right thoughts.

IMO, his issues between his ears are directly effecting his mechanics and I don’t know if you see him again anytime soon.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jul 17, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

90%

Of this game is half mental!

But seriously, I happen to agree with MPH73 that at least part of it is mental…and mostly because Lou Pinella stated that he puts too much pressure on himself, these comments have been made more than once.

by StevenABQ on Jul 17, 2008 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not going to hold my breath that Hill contributes in 2008

If anything maybe he can serve as left-handed set-up man in the bullpen. But he’d better hurry up because I’m sure Jim Hendry is gunning to make a move for a left-handed reliever before the July 31st deadline. We need to beef up this bullpen a little bit more.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 17, 2008 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

I'm under the impression

that Hill is on the Minor League Disabled List. That’s not super-secret.

And I think you’re reading way too much into these kinds of things, as usual.

Borowy . . .Sutcliffe . . .Harden?

by Josh Timmers on Jul 17, 2008 11:46 AM CDT reply actions

but that is not listed on the 40-man roster

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 17, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

You are correct

He is not on the 40-man DL list (going against the 25-man active roster) but on the 7-day DL in the minor leagues dating back to May 18th with back spasms.

So his rehab is under that process….thank you….

the usual comment was unwarranted…..the personal civility here inexcusable…..

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 17, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUND!

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 17, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

If Hendry/Lou really wanted to dump Marquis...

...and install a left-handed starter, why wouldn’t they just give Sean Marshall the spot? I think Hill is just being moved along cautiously in the hopes he can contribute something at some point in the future. I doubt the Cubs are feeling any pressure whatsoever to get Rich back in the rotation.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Jul 17, 2008 11:56 AM CDT reply actions

12-oz beers for $1...

WOW.

31-oz for $3!

OMG

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 17, 2008 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

31=32...

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 17, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

The concept of ... Math .... disagrees with you on that one.

by northsider on Jul 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

2+2= jello

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jul 17, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

MY HEAD A SPLODE

haha

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 17, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

$1 beers!! If I lived there, I’d be all over that…Go Rich!

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 17, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Why would I buy the 31 OZ when I can buy 3 12 OZ for the same price?

Formerly NO100

by jerry morales rules on Jul 17, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

1 trip vs. 3 trips to the concession stand.

I would usually choose the 8.9% decrease in volume over the time taken to procure the additional 2 beers.

by imauis on Jul 17, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Also there is "head"-room to consider on 3 12 ouncers.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

by californiachicagoan on Jul 17, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm sure they have limit 1 or 2

your best bet is to buy 2 $3 32-oz beers. 64-oz of beer ought to last like 2 full innings!!!

Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 33-22 (.600)
Edmonds with Cubs: .269 / .369 / .552

by joeschmitt on Jul 17, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, 2 beers per ID at all sports venues.

No person is supposed to walk away with more than 2 beers in his/her hands.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Voltaire

by Jettero2112 on Jul 17, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Officially, Rich Hill is on "optional assignment" to the minor leagues.

Once he is on option, he can be optioned to any team in the Cubs’ system, though there are rules about how many players with more than two years’ experience can play on a rookie team. He can remain in the minor leagues all season—no 20 day limit.

The biggest difference (one that the reporter seemed to miss) is that a player on optional assignment is part of the team’s roster (which, I think, is 25 in A-ball, and 23 or 24 in AA and AAA). A player on injury rehab does not count against the team’s roster limit. (i.e., they don’t have to send someone down to make room for a rehabber, but they do for a player on option.)

He is not accruing ML service time. He may be drawing a ML salary if he has a one-way contract (probable), but he gets minor league meal money.

Right now, I would imagine that he is behind Marshall (who is waiting for Marquis to be traded) in the rotation pecking order. He will most likely be back in September.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jul 17, 2008 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

Totally agree.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Jul 17, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

32 oz for 3 bucks, thats all the reason you need.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jul 17, 2008 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

wow re beer

here in Las Vegas for Triple-A Dodgers’ affiliate 51s games, we also have $1 12-oz beers on Thursdays , but $3 for 32-oz would be fantastic

Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 33-22 (.600)
Edmonds with Cubs: .269 / .369 / .552

by joeschmitt on Jul 17, 2008 1:23 PM CDT reply actions

Crazy

To think that Cashman field was once the standard for Minor League parks…no offense but it could use a tune-up. I guess with cheap beer its one way to fill up the park.

by StevenABQ on Jul 17, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Do the math

Why not just buy three 12-ounce beers and get 36 ounces for $3? Even more fantastic!

by ju on Jul 17, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry

should have read the thread above more closely…

by ju on Jul 17, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Missing it by a day....

Man, missing it by a day…..I’ll be in Daytona tomorrow starting a vacation. So not only do I miss tonight, but wouldn’t ya know, the D-Cubs are on the road next Thursday….so no Thirsty Thursday. :-( Monday night though is Papa John’s Belly Buster Monday / Shipyard Brewing 3rd Monday….whatever the crap that is. I’m guessing I might find out!!

by NashCub on Jul 17, 2008 2:30 PM CDT reply actions

Rich Hill was placed on the 7-day disabled list...

...on June 22 by the I-Cubs. Since it’s the minor league disabled list, Hill does not accrue any service time. But he is, technically, on a rehab assignment.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Jul 17, 2008 2:31 PM CDT reply actions