The latest on Rich Hill

In 2007, Rich threw 195 innings for the Cubs and led the starting staff in strikeouts. He's now a free agent seeking a minor league deal.

If the poll included in the article above is any indication, Orioles fans don't want him re-signed. So should Jim Hendry welcome him back into the fold with a minor league contract?

over 2 years ago daver 20 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

The article says...

The Orioles acquired Hill last year from the Chicago Cubs for cash because they liked his upside. He showed flashes but also battled injuries and wildness and struggled for much of the season. Because he was eligible for arbitration, the Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster but haven’t eliminated him from their plans.

“If Rich has interest in returning to the organization,” Klentak said, “we would welcome him back in 2010.”

Injuries and wildness and he’ll be 30 in March. No thanks. I’d rather the Cubs sign Noah Lowry.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 4, 2009 10:05 AM CST reply actions

I always though Hill would be more sucessful in a LOOGY role,

early on he was a K guy, and devasting on lefties. But, – his upside – pushed him into the starting role he couldn’t sustain.

So, if it’s a low cost minor deal, and they develop him as a LOOGY, I think it would be interesting to watch. But, likely too many ifs in there.

"The Cubs are due in sixty-two." - #14

by BatCubFan on Nov 4, 2009 10:14 AM CST reply actions

There was once a time when we could have had Brian Roberts

For Rich Hill and Ronny Cedeno (plus some more). Big oops there by old Jim Hendry (yes I know Roberts would never have come here bc their owner is in love with him).

I wouldn’t mind letting him start in the minors if it isn’t blocking anybody like Cashner or Jackson.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Nov 4, 2009 10:20 AM CST reply actions

Raise your hand if you would have traded Rich Hill in the 2007-2008 offseason.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 4, 2009 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

Not for BR.

I would have wanted more. Hill was cost controlled and looked like the real deal. I wouldn’t have wanted to give him up for BR with the need for a big contract looming with Roberts.

In hindsight, it would have been an amazing trade.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 4, 2009 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

It’s pretty easy to make trades two years after the fact. If someone thinks a move makes sense at the time, it’s one thing to say that the team missed an opportunity – but I don’t think there was a lot of sentiment for trading Hill.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 4, 2009 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

Who wants to trade Randy Wells and Mike Fontenot

for an expensive SS or CF who has peaked and on the downswing?

Seems like a similar comparison.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 4, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

I don't know if Roberts had peaked at that point

by elgato on Nov 4, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

depends on definition.

He had 50 SB in 2007, 40 in 08 and 30 this year. I embellished a little, but still the similarities are there.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 4, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

Consider the hand raised....

Never liked that he didn’t have a third pitch.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 4, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

You'd be one of a few, then.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 4, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

I know....

I’m pretty sure that it was me, and Ivy Walls. But I never imagined that he’d fall this far. I always felt like he’d be at least a serviceable back of the rotation guy.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 4, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

I was mostly trying to give some perspective on how far Hill has fallen

I probably wouldn’t have traded him.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Nov 4, 2009 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

Fair enough

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 4, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

I probably wouldn't have.

Trading away a young, talented, cost-controlled starting pitching has to be a tall order for any GM. And I gave Rich more benefits of the doubts than many Cubs fans.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 4, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

You have no idea if that's true.

I’m not convinced Angelos was ever really interested in trading away his friend Roberts; if he had been, he’d have done it.

by Wreckard on Nov 4, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

A minor league offer and invite to camp? Why not?

Worst case he stinks, best case there’s something there to try in the minors and possibly help the ML club.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 4, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

I agree.

"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry

by EJThunder on Nov 4, 2009 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, you can never have too much pitching and certainly not too much left-handed pitching.

Something tells me Hendry won’t/wouldn’t do it, though. I think the organization is more or less done with Hill. Plus there’s the whole issue of Rich playing for Lou Piniella again – many believed it was Lou’s “tough love” approach that ruined Hill’s confidence in the first place.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 4, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions