November 25th, 2019 at 1:30 pm 
by Ron Cervenka Although there has been no official word from the Dodgers, nor is one expected, (now) free agent left-hander Rich Hill‘s future with the Dodgers took an unexpected turn for the worse early Monday afternoon when it was reported that the 39-year-old Boston MA native and 15-year MLB veteran underwent ‘primary revision surgery’ on his left elbow.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the procedure is similar to Tommy John surgery but “…is a less-intrusive repair of a tear in a player’s ulnar collateral ligament and comes with a shorter rehab period.”
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that the extremely popular veteran clubhouse leader is still looking at a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation period that would most likely take until June or July of the 2020 season.
The really bad news is that Hill remains an unsigned free agent and it’s hard to believe that any team, including the Dodgers, would sign him to a new contract only to spend the first half of the new season on the injured list.
Hill, who turns 40 on March 11, has made it known that he wants to continue pitching at the major league level even if it would be on a short term/less expensive incentive-laden contract. He also said that he wouldn’t mind pitching for the Red Sox again, as his family still resides in the Boston area.
Regardless of how this all plays out or where he (hopefully) eventually lands, it is impossible not to pull for a guy who is among the nicest you will find in any clubhouse.
Godspeed to you Rich Hill.
Play Ball!
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Here is the Dodgers chance to sign Hill on an incentive based contract, he would be huge in the second half, not to mention his clubhouse influence, with our talented young pitchers
Exactly what I am hoping for.
I like the idea of an incentive based offer. Does MLB still have player-coaches (As in mid-1960s Jim… https://t.co/2fGRCqWltA
Per J.P. Hoornstra, there are as many as 10 teams interested in Hill despite his recent surgery. I have to believe the Dodgers are at or near the top of that list
Further, “The veteran didn’t indicate whether he’d prefer to sign this offseason and rehab under the supervision of a team or wait until he’s fully healthy to showcase for teams next summer”.
I guess it comes down to, does Hill want to get about $1M guaranteed from the Dodgers now under an incentive laden contract or roll the dice on a bigger contract later.
From the Dodgers standpoint, he’s cheap and won’t clog up the roster starting out on the 60 day DL. And as noted above, a chance of being huge the second half of the season.
Age 40 with injury history = incentive laden contract no matter when he signs.
I don’t know if anybody has that title, but there are a lot of veteran players that serve as mentors for younger players.
True, but if he demonstrates that he can pitch in June-July and ten teams were interested he’d probably get a higher guarantee.