Rich Hill plans to pitch in 2023, wants to remain with the Red Sox
Rich Hill plans to pitch in 2023, wants to remain with the Red Sox
Red Sox lefty Rich Hill isn’t ready to call it a big league career just yet. Hill who started for the Red Sox on Wednesday night struck out nine batters over six shutout innings. The veteran has pitched relatively well this season making 25 starts, posting a 4.41 ERA, 8-7 record in 118 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox signed Milton native Rich Hill to a one-year, $5 million contract last December. Hill who is currently the oldest pitcher in baseball would love to return to Boston next season.
“I think that’s something that I want to discuss with (wife) Caitlin and (son) Brice and sit down and talk with them about what the plan is going to be and how we want to move forward,” Hill said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that a full season is completely in the cards for moving forward. Minus a hiccup with the knee, a freak injury, I think the entire year, I would have been able to make all 32 starts or more.”
Hill is a free agent this winter and wants to sign an eight contract with the Red Sox.
“The organization here has been great to me. It has been great to my family,” Hill said. “Love pitching here. Unfortunately, the season isn’t going the way that we want it to but hopefully, brighter things are ahead.
“I would obviously love to come back here to Boston and play here,” he added. “We love it here. I think Chaim (Bloom) and the front office is going to build a winner next year. It’s something that, if it works out, it works out. We’ll keep the options open on whether it’s going to be a full season or a half season.”
Keeping Hill around isn’t at the top of the list for Bloom and his front office. However, had he not suffered a knee injury this season, he was on pace for 32 starts. To get that from the oldest pitcher in the league has been underrated storyline for the Red Sox rotation.
The Red Sox will need to make upgrades to their pitching staff. Hill could be an option to pitch at the back-end of the rotation while providing depth if other starters go down next season.
