New Yankees Rumors on Tim Hill's Contract as 'Bullpen is a Top Priority' in MLB Free Agency

The New York Yankees reportedly addressed one of their biggest areas of concern Sunday when they brought back left-handed relief pitcher Tim Hill.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Yankees and Hill agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract that also features a $2.5 million club option for the 2028 campaign. Passan added that "bullpen is a top priority this offseason" in New York.

While Hill provides depth and a left-handed arm to that bullpen, it wouldn't be surprising if the Yankees continue to look elsewhere with the bullpen being such an area of need.

After all, the southpaw was solid but unspectacular in 2026 with a 4.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 58.2 innings. It was a drop in production from 2025 when he also pitched for the Yankees and finished with a 3.09 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 67 innings.

Hill has pitched for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox as well in his career and sports a 3.94 ERA in nine seasons.

The Yankees could look to use him as more of a left-handed matchup specialist in 2027, which would likely put him in the best position to succeed.

According to ESPN, left-handers slashed .213/.265/.346 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 127 at-bats against Hill last season. Right-handers were much better at .293/.365/.543 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 92 at-bats.

General manager Brian Cashman made no secret early in the offseason that he is focused on the bullpen, and this is one step. Elsewhere, closer David Bednar and right-hander Paul Blackburn are also free agents this offseason.

"Two of the three pitchers going into our eighth and ninth inning are gone; Blackburn and Bednar right now are free agents, so we've got our work to do," Cashman said, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "And because of that, I am casting a wide net. We are asking around, and we need to find some stuff so we can feel good and sleep at night."

It remains to be seen whether Bednar and Blackburn will be back in New York, but Hill will be after Sunday's developments.