Pitcher Rich Hill decision imminent

(Photo by Louriann Mardo-Zayat)

Eric D. Schabell
Contributing Writer

Who in Red Sox Nation does not remember the shining events of last season as it wound down in September?

Over a three week span and four starts, Rich Hill was a magician. Larger than life with a sweeping, majestic curve ball that baffled hitters across the entire division (Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles and Yankees).

Those four starts for your viewing pleasure:

• Sep 13 at Rays - 7 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 10 SO, 109 pitches
• Sep 20 at Blue Jays - 7 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 3 ER, 10 SO, 107 pitches
• Sep 25 vs Orioles - 9 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 10 SO, 116 pitches
• Oct 1 at Yankees - 6 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 6 SO, 102 pitches

He allowed runs in just two of his 29 innings over these four starts, resulting in a 1.55 ERA. The 35-year-old also struck out 36 while walking five.

After the first game the fan base was going wild about the best ERA in baseball.
After it was all over at the Yankees, he sure made Brett Gardner look foolish with the massive hook on his curve ball.
Rob Bradford over at WEII reports that a major league source expects the free agent lefty will sign with a team this week. It is not expected the Red Sox will be a candidate for Hill’s services.

General Manager Dave Dombrowski has a love for power arms in a rotation, so it is not a surprise that Hill is not part of the Red Sox investment plans.

The most Hill ever made in a season was $1 million, with MLBTradeRumors predicting that he should get a $5 million dollar one year deal.

Will it be the Padres that scoop him up from the free agent market?
Post a comment or via twitter @erics_redsox with your thoughts.

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