Front Page: How the Twins Could Get the Most Out of Rich Hill

[Matt Braun]

I was awakened from my sleep on New Year’s Eve by a text from other Twins Daily poster and the second funniest guy on the Leading Off Podcast, Cooper Carlson. He had informed me that the Twins had signed Rich Hill and Homer Bailey and he also gave me his thoughts on the topic (which I’m sure Twins Daily would prefer for me not to repeat).Homer Bailey is what he is, but Rich Hill is the pitcher here who interests me the most. My personal wish all offseason has been for the Twins to acquire a starting pitcher who is better than Jake Odorizzi and they did so here in the most frustrating way possible because the monkey’s paw takes no prisoners after all. Hill is a phenomenal pitcher when healthy but it’s that stipulation that has held him back for a few years now and this year he won’t be ready until at least June as he recovers from elbow surgery.

 

This would be less of a problem if the Twins didn’t already have a starting pitcher named Michael Pineda who will also have a delayed start to his season as he must serve time thanks to his suspension from last season. This means that two of the following pitchers; Devin Smeltzer, Randy Dobnak, or Lewis Thorpe will likely have to fill in for a solid chunk of the season until the reinforcements arrive.

 

Or at least, that’s how it currently stands. Maybe it’s the optimism that remains deep down inside of me that hasn’t quite been killed by the nihilism and sadness that comes with Minnesota sports, but I still believe that the Twins will trade for a starting pitcher before the offseason is over. Assuming this happens, the Twins now have six veteran starters to fill out five rotation spots.

I have been told that it isn’t wise to make assumptions but I have been told a lot of things in my life which I’ve ignored so this won’t be the first suggestion to be thrown away by me. Assuming a starter is acquired, a June rotation may look like Berríos-Odorizzi-Traded for starter-Pineda-Bailey-Hill, which as I mentioned before, is one too many.

 

I think it’s fair to assume that Pineda will come back with no issues but to assume that Hill will do so as a 40-year-old who already has had health issues, well that may not be wise. So what the Twins could do instead is limit his use to be more of a garnish on the plate of the starting rotation.

 

How so? If you recall how the Red Sox used Nathan Eovaldi in the 2018 postseason, they were able to make up for the lack of their bullpen depth by using Eovaldi as a “rover” type of pitcher who had no defined role besides “we need outs and fast”. So, if say Jake Odorizzi has a blister problem like he did last year, the Twins could throw Hill in to start and make it easier on their bullpen as they wait for Odorizzi to return. Or say that the bullpen is already gassed from the day before and the starter only went five innings, Hill could then come in and bridge the gap to Taylor Rogers or Sergio Romo by eating up two or three innings in relief. Also, even though he only started two games, Eovaldi was able to pitch 22 1/3 innings over six games that postseason, so the Twins could still end up with a healthy innings total from Hill if they decide to use him like this.

 

It’s difficult to do this over an extended period of time and the Red Sox got away with it because the postseason is much shorter than the full season, but Hill won’t be playing for the entire season so they might be able to succeed over the shorter period of time. By doing this, the Twins could limit the innings on Hill (who may I mention again, is a 40-year-old with health problems) while still finding ways to get him valuable innings that otherwise might have been used for option-fodder pitchers like Devin Smeltzer. Don’t forget that this year rosters expand to 26 men so the Twins could carve out this role for Hill while still remaining at full strength everywhere else on their roster.

 

What do you think? What is the best way the Twins could use Rich Hill? Leave a comment and join the discussion.

 

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[MN_ExPat]

Who knows? Its an Interesting thought, but something like this just might work.

 

Also, it's a very petty quibble but... "health problems"?   That makes is sound like he should be on a telethon while slow, sad music plays and you feel like a horrible human being for not donating while he tells you how said telethon org made his life bearable and livable again with their life saving treatment.

 

Injury problems or injury prone self maybe, but health problems conjures up repressed memories of my dark, dark heart.   Thanks, I feel sad now . 

[nicksaviking]

If Rich Hill is healthy and as effective as he’s been the past four years, he’s hands down the Game 1 starter as it stands now.

[Riverbrian]

Good article... I love the creative thinking and am fully supportive of anything other than being locked into past baseball conventions such as the traditional 5 man rotation. 

 

However...

 

"Assuming a starter is acquired, a June rotation may look like Berríos-Odorizzi-Traded for starter-Pineda-Bailey-Hill, which as I mentioned before, is one too many". 

 

It is only one too many if all 5 stay healthy or all 5 perform at an above average level. 

 

The odds of these two things happening are off the charts... and if it happens... we should enjoy the moment because our ticket to the playoffs has been punched with 6 starters getting the job done leading the way.  

 

 

[Cooper Carlson]

Homer Bailey >

[twins_89]

I look at Hill as a lottery ticket. He'll be 40 this season and coming off a UCL repair operation that is fairly new (and thus the outcome is not as well understood as a full Tommy John replacement). If he can come back and perform anywhere close to what he was before the injury it could be a big boost down the stretch. Unfortunately, I suspect there is an equal chance that he pitches under 5 games before being released. I'm not going to form any expectations or plans until he is back and pitching successfully in the majors.

[HrbieFan]

If we get 40 IP out if Hill, I will consider this a great signing. I have never seen a guy with more injuries, yet still come back to dominate at times.

[wabene]

 

Homer Bailey >

Homer Simpson?

[TwinsFan347]

However the Twins decide to do it, I hope Hill is lightly used during the regular season. His value to this team IMO is using him in the post season if he can get back to form.

 

Relying on him as a consistent Starter in the regular season from the point he comes back to the end of the season increases the risk associated with him.

 

Overall he's still a low risk high ceiling player who could provide a boost next October,  

 

 

[Original_JB]

Granted, he gets no say in the matter but that style of usage would really cut into his earning capabilities; contract is really structured on his getting healthy and making starts moreso than just spot pitching and picking up stray innings.  If he's a hot temper sort of guy, he would probably not be too happy with your scenario....

 

Incentives:
$1 million for 5 games started or 25 innings
$1M for 7 starts/35 innings
$1M for 9 starts/45 innings
$1.5M for 11 starts/55 innings
$2M for 13 starts/65 innings
$3M for 15 starts/75 innings

[jud6312]

The only way to get anything out of him is if he looks like this every second he isn't on the mound:

 

 

 

 

 

[joefish]

Contenders should be better off than this. Limping into the season is not how I like to start.

[DocBauer]

Yeah, I'm with Brian on this one. It would be awesome if everyone is healthy and pitching great and we have an over abundance of pitching. What a nice "problem" to have. But things usually don't work that way. I'm pretty sure he will wind up as a traditional SP.

 

I really hope he comes back healthy and strong. But everyone says June as if it's a sure thing. Originally, he was thought back June/July. Any way you look at it, we're really looking/hoping fir a good half season which can help push us over the top.

 

Much like Pineda last year, his GS and IP can be moderated to keep him strong.

[jud6312]

 

 his GS and IP can be moderated to keep him strong.

 

His body will probably take care of that for them. I'm expecting nothing from him so I can be surprised.

[laloesch]

 

Contenders should be better off than this. Limping into the season is not how I like to start.

I hate every bit of this situation. The Twins utterly failed to get what they needed on the starting pitching front and it's gonna cost them dearly this season IMO.

 

That said, it also highlights another concerning issue which is the collective view of MLB players towards the Twins. As the Donaldson situation drags on it looks more and more likely that there is indeed a very real reputation in MLB baseball that "nobody wants to play in Minnesota" unless you are desperate, second rate, a retread, or close to retirement. Apparently the Nat's have dropped out and all that is left is the Braves and Twins with 4 year deals left on the table. 

 

This might seem like Capt. obvious statements to some of us, but going forward it's a potential huge obstacle in situations where the Twins indeed are willing to spend big on free agents but nobody is willing to even play ball with them and negotiate a deal due to the "historic contraction era cheapness" under Ryan.  Even with the history of the Mauer contract the legacy lives on.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Who knows? Its an Interesting thought, but something like this just might work.

 

Also, it's a very petty quibble but... "health problems"?   That makes is sound like he should be on a telethon while slow, sad music plays and you feel like a horrible human being for not donating while he tells you how said telethon org made his life bearable and livable again with their life saving treatment.

 

Injury problems or injury prone self maybe, but health problems conjures up repressed memories of my dark, dark heart.   Thanks, I feel sad now .

The saddest part of the story is that he was already asleep on New Year's Eve.

[Linus]

I would suggest a motorized scooter

[Major League Ready]

 

I hate every bit of this situation. The Twins utterly failed to get what they needed on the starting pitching front and it's gonna cost them dearly this season IMO.

 

That said, it also highlights another concerning issue which is the collective view of MLB players towards the Twins. As the Donaldson situation drags on it looks more and more likely that there is indeed a very real reputation in MLB baseball that "nobody wants to play in Minnesota" unless you are desperate, second rate, a retread, or close to retirement. Apparently the Nat's have dropped out and all that is left is the Braves and Twins with 4 year deals left on the table. 

 

This might seem like Capt. obvious statements to some of us, but going forward it's a potential huge obstacle in situations where the Twins indeed are willing to spend big on free agents but nobody is willing to even play ball with them and negotiate a deal due to the "historic contraction era cheapness" under Ryan.  Even with the history of the Mauer contract the legacy lives on.

 

Why would a player pass on the Twins because they had a perception the Twins have been cheap in the past If the Twins have the high offer and the player was only interested in the high offer? Sorry, your bid was the highest but I won't play for you because I don't think you have bid aggressively with other FAs?

 

[Battle ur tail off]

"How they could get the best out of Rich Hill?"

 

See if he is up for cooking the postgame meals. Maybe ask him if he is able to help with janitor duties or would mind selling peanuts and cracker jacks. LOL

 

 

Just kidding. I think the best use of this guy is as a starting pitcher. That has always been his role, he's old and used to it. Get him back healthy, ease him into it and when they need solid starts down the stretch or into the playoffs, milk him for every last pitch he has left. Chew him up and spit him out so to say. 

[laloesch]

 

Why would a player pass on the Twins because they had a perception the Twins have been cheap in the past If the Twins have the high offer and the player was only interested in the high offer? Sorry, your bid was the highest but I won't play for you because I don't think you have bid aggressively with other FAs?

Because the perception is that they never truly "Go for it" and do whatever it takes to bring in the right players to win a world series.