But, uh, not trusted enough!
While New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone might’ve stayed away from him in a big World Series spot, the organization has still made their feelings on lefty reliever Tim Hill quite clear.
They consider Hill one of the unsung heroes of last summer’s late surge and October run, uncovered on a DFA dive after an unsuccessful start to the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox. Under someone else’s guidance in Chi-Town, Hill had a 5.87 ERA, allowing an unsightly 41 hits in 23 innings. It appeared his days of craftiness had come to an end at the age of 34.
When he arrived in pinstripes and began shaping his pitches and emphasizing his strengths, alongside Matt Blake and Desi Druschel (sad), he turned into an entirely different pitcher. No, the strikeouts didn’t suddenly materialize (18 in 44 regular-season innings, a comically low total), but he was still able to mute the offense, pitching to a 2.05 ERA/3.62 FIP.
Surprisingly, his FIP was actually lower in Chicago (3.47), meaning that there was likely a middle ground hiding out in his profile all along, and he’s due for a slight regression if he returns. But the Yankees will still take that, at an affordable price, and it should come as no surprise that Hill seems interested in returning to the place where he had his greatest success.
The Yankees are interested, too.
New @NYDNSports: #Yankees, Tim Hill have mutual interest in reunion https://t.co/MBRzYEuuck
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) November 13, 2024
New York Yankees have mutual interest with reliever Tim Hill on reunion in MLB free agency
And, like everything else that isn’t a Juan Soto contract, this one will have to wait. Hill will probably understand. Hell, his deal might even be contingent on Soto returning (half-kidding).
While many fans will likely never get over the scarring that ensued from Boone leaving Hill in the lurch to go with an ice cold Nestor Cortes Jr. in the biggest “lefty reliever moment” and potential tone-setter of the entire World Series, it’s good to see that the relationship between the two parties wasn’t permanently fractured.
The Yankees need to find a way to both replace and upgrade Tommy Kahnle and Clay Holmes’ spots in the bullpen this winter, so bringing back Hill — and a modicum of stasis along with him — isn’t a bad thing. There will be more dumpster dives on the way. Bringing back someone you’ve already unlocked, amid all that uncertainty, seems like a wise move.
