Plenty of eyes will be on left-hander Rich Hill on Sunday as he makes what could be his final start with the Athletics, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Scouts from a handful of playoff-contending clubs – the Red Sox, Rangers, Orioles, Marlins and Tigers – will be in attendance to observe Hill’s home outing against the Blue Jays.
Hill, 36, has unexpectedly established himself as a hot commodity leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline since his torrid stretch as a member of the aforementioned BoSox last September. Dating back to that four-start run, the journeyman has performed like an ace over a 105-inning sample, having recorded a 2.06 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 2.83 BB/9, 49.6 percent ground-ball percentage and 17.9 percent infield fly rate. As a result, the A’s are hoping to land a haul similar to the one they received from Houston for southpaw Scott Kazmir last year (two prospects, right-hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham), according to Slusser, who notes that a Hill trade isn’t necessarily a sure bet.
If the A’s can’t find a deal to their liking for Hill, they could retain him through the season and then tender the free agent-to-be a qualifying offer, which will be worth in the $17MM neighborhood. Should Hill accept, that would give him roughly $23MM over two years with the A’s (including $6MM this season), which, considering his performance, wouldn’t be an unreasonable cost for his services. However, the A’s are much less likely to keep Hill and qualify him than they are right fielder Josh Reddick, per Slusser. Reddick – another pending free agent – is drawing pre-deadline interest around the league, as Slusser reported last weekend, and he and the A’s are far apart on contract extension talks.
In the event Oakland does shop one or both of Hill or Reddick, it won’t try to attach designated hitter Billy Butler and his contract to either, adds Slusser. The A’s are more worried about maximizing the return for their best trade assets than taking less just to throw Butler’s $15MM overboard. Since signing a three-year, $30MM deal with the A’s in November 2014, the ex-Royal has become an afterthought. In 163 plate appearances this season, the 30-year-old Butler has hit .253/.307/.380 with two home runs. His poor output could lead Oakland to eventually designate him for assignment, Slusser writes.
Interestingly, third baseman Danny Valencia is another designation candidate, reports Slusser, even though he has batted a fantastic .295/.348/.507 with 30 home runs in 659 PAs going back to last year. Despite that production and his cheap team control through next season, Valencia is not garnering interest, relays Slusser. With the out-of-contention A’s looking to evaluate their younger talent, the 31-year-old Valencia could end up designated – as he was with the Royals last season – if Oakland can’t find a taker for him. Whether Valencia is open to positions other than third and how he handles a decrease in playing time might keep the A’s from giving him his walking papers, however, according to Slusser.
Baltimore needs to make a move to get Hill and they need to do it quick. They can’t wait around until August 1st because most likely he will be pitching for another team by then.
It depends on the price, obviously. Let’s see how Bundy fares Sunday and beyond (if it’s more than a spot start). If he turns out to be a solid option moving forward, then the O’s will have four spots spoken for. Obviously they’ll still need a fifth for the remaining 10 weeks or so, but perhaps a cheaper (in terms of prospects) trade will make more sense.
I agree but if they could get Hill or another pitcher they can but in the 2/3 spot in the rotation, they should jump on the opportunity. It would definitely hurt their amount of prospects but would be worth the risk.
Agreed 100%, the O’s need to add a key starter or the Red Sox and maybe Jays could overtake them. It’s just questionable if they have the upper level prospects to pull off a deal.
The A’s wont make Hill a QA offer, thats way to much to pay. Teams know this so they will not give up more than a B prospect or low A lotto ticket. A’s have no leverage.
Ha have you seen the starting pitching market? And no one will
offer more than a B level prospect? Please. Someone will easily give a top 50 prospect and then some. He’s the best available by far. Blue Jays gave up their best prospect last year for what 10-12 starts of Price
But that was David Price who was worth a trade like that. Hill is 36 and he’s not a top of the line starter.
It doesn’t matter that he’s not David Price he’s the best on the market and the market is bare with anyone close to his talent at this time. He’s better than Pomeranz and he got a top 15 prospect in all of baseball. Granted he’s not signed as long but the market has been set so they should be getting something similar maybe a little less just because he’s not signed as long. Easily a top 50 prospect and then some but with a whole bunch of teams desperate for pitching I wouldn’t be surprised if they got more when the bidding begins.
Pomeranz fetched a top 15 prospect because he has several years of cheap control left and is at least a decade younger. But yeah, it’s the fact that it’s a seller’s market that will drive his price way higher than it should be.
Hill absolutely is a top of the line starter. He hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in his last 17 starts, and has 6 10+ K games out of 17. He’s a beast and if the A’s can’t get a top 50 prospect for him they are going to offer him that QO and get the 1st round pick that way.
I thought a month ago Valencia was supposed to be the best 3B available in a lot of people’s eyes?
Ikr. Like why would you DFA a guy that’s batting almost 300 in the past year
It seems like to DFA Butler and keep Valencia would make more sense than to just jettison Valencia. He can play the field, at multiple positions (including the one that Butler plays), and he hits with more power. Its either trade or keep.
It’s seems you’re reading it incorrectly. Likely to DFA Butler and Valencia is not garnering interest.
Wait. I didn’t see that last part about him being a DFA candidate. That’s outrageous.
The Mets have Jose Reyes batting leadoff at 3rd and James Loney hitting 5th playing 1st. Now that the A’s have sucked any value out of Valencia by bringing up Healey, the Mets better find some A-ball reliever and stock the soda machines for the A’s, eat what’s left on the contract (about 1.5 m), and get him.
Stock the soda machines! Nice reference!
Hill has lots of question marks. First, he’s a rental and a QO won’t be possible for the acquiring team. Second, his inning max as a starter, and how he will hold up late in the season is unknown. Third, he is 37, and how willing teams will be to offer him even a two year extension won’t be known till they see how he holds up this year. Fourth, he he has already been on the dl this year. I am not saying he won’t go for a premium, due to the market. I am just saying that including the premium, it may be less than expected.
Rich Hill is 36, why would you lie like that? March 11, 1980 is his birthday. Why straight up lie when we all have access to facts?
Valencia should work at least as a DH for a few AL teams. I know the Astros should consider him to maybe buff up DH spot. He’d be a nice bat for any AL team.
Valencia was DFA by the Blue Jays not the Royals
Wow if the A’s really do DFA Valencia then the rumors about him being a clubhouse cancer are definitely true, because he hits like an All-Star and a poor hitting team like Oakland need those badly.
from what others on the jays forums have said is that DV is a drama queen I dont know if it is true but thats the word on him
I hope this blister doesn’t become an issue, the As needs to get prospects and need to flip them or steady sign guys like Reddick and hill to QO or offer them if the offers are low.
The right move here has to be to deal Hill and Reddick to the highest bidders and bring back a solid haul of prospects that will be MLB ready in 2-3 years.