Rich Hill to Athletics: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Oakland Athletics are to sign free-agent left-handed pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year, $6 million contract, pending a physical, per Jane Lee of MLB.com.     

Hill, an 11-year veteran, started four games for the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and was 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA. Most impressively, he had 36 strikeouts and just five walks in 29 innings.

He pitched in relief with the Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees from 2010-14 but is 26-23 in 74 career starts.

G-GS	W-L	IP	ERA	WHIP
201-74	26-23	500.0	4.54	1.35

Hill has pitched for six teams in his career—seven if you count two stops in Boston—and has bounced around from not only the starting rotation and bullpen, but the minor and major leagues as well.

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe congratulated the 35-year-old journeyman on his contract:

However, Joe Stiglich of Comcast SportsNet California said the A's are hoping he is more than just a nice story:

It's possible he could be more than a back-end starter considering Sonny Gray (14-7) was the only Oakland pitcher to win more than seven games in 2015. Ten pitchers started at least six games for the team.

The A's went from the American League Wild Card Game in 2014 to last place in the AL in 2015. This is a solid addition to the rotation in hopes of a turnaround in 2016 and a nice move for a player who has had his ups and downs during his career.