BREAKING: New York Yankees Confirms The Signing Of Another Top Starlet
The Yankees’ bullpen has been struggling, but they may now be poised for improvement. On Thursday morning, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that lefty reliever Tim Hill agreed to a one-year deal with the Yankees. The team will only need to pay him the prorated league minimum for any time he spends on the active roster.
Hill was released by the White Sox earlier this week after posting a 5.87 ERA in 23 innings over 27 outings. To make room for Hill on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated fellow reliever Clayton Andrews for assignment. An active roster spot had already been cleared when Anthony Misiewicz was optioned on Wednesday night.
Veteran reliever Tim Hill and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year deal, sources tell ESPN. The 34-year-old left-hander was DFA'd by the White Sox last week and will join a banged-up Yankees bullpen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 20, 2024
Hill, 34, was initially selected by the Royals in the 32nd round of the 2014 draft. He made his major league debut in 2018 at age 28 and became a reliable contributor in Kansas City’s bullpen.
However, with the Royals rebuilding, they traded Hill to the Padres in 2020 for Franchy Cordero and Ronald Bolaños. Hill produced a solid 3.72 ERA from 2020 to 2022 over 125.2 innings with the Padres, but his performance declined in 2023, leading to his release after posting a 5.48 ERA in 44.1 innings.
The Yankees DFAd Clayton Andrews to create the 40-man roster spot for Hill. The NYY are obligated to just the pro-rated minimum for Hill, roughly $397,000 the rest of the year. https://t.co/SRWiuiwf3Y
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 20, 2024
Hill signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal with the White Sox in December, but his struggles led the team to release him in favor of younger arms. Hill’s sidearm delivery has been effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .638 OPS, but right-handed hitters have fared much better, with an .810 OPS against him.
His primary pitch is a sinker with good horizontal movement, although it has lost some of its effectiveness recently. Despite this, Hill maintains a high groundball rate, currently at 63.8% for the season.
The Yankees reportedly had interest in Hill way back in the day before the Royals traded him to the Padres. Another high GB, low K reliever. Doesn't help the bullpen's lack of K at all. Only makes it worse, really. https://t.co/lMB8DeYpo3
— River Ave. Blues (@RiverAveBlues) June 20, 2024
Hill’s expected statistics suggest he has been unlucky this season, with a 3.45 xERA in the 68th percentile among qualified pitchers. The White Sox’s poor infield defense (-5 outs above average) likely contributed to his struggles, and Hill should benefit from the Yankees’ above-average infield defense (+7 OAA, eighth-best in MLB).
Despite his recent difficulties, Hill could be a valuable addition to a Yankees bullpen that has been dealing with injuries and fatigue. With Scott Effross and J.T. Brubaker progressing in their rehab assignments, Hill could secure a spot on the roster if he performs well.