2021 Mets Report Card: Rich Hill, LHP

Player Data: Age: 41, B/T: L/L

Primary Stats (w/NYM): 12 GS, 63.1 IP, 7-8, 3.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 59 SO, 19 BB

Advanced Stats (w/TB & NYM): 4.45 xERA, 4.34 FIP, .232 BAA, .237 xBAA, .277 BABIP

2021 Salary: $2.5 million (the Mets paid a prorated portion of that)

Grade: B+

2021 Review

Rich Hill was acquired by the New York Mets on July 23rd. In return, Tampa Bay received relief pitcher Tommy Hunter and minor league catcher/infielder Matt Dyer. Hill was brought in after throwing 95 1/3 innings for Tampa Bay, while posting a 3.87 ERA and 4.55 FIP. He went on to pitch 63 1/3 innings for the Mets, putting up slightly better numbers.

At the time of Hill’s acquisition, the Mets were ravaged by injuries. Several starters, including Jacob deGrom, Joey Lucchesi, and David Peterson, were all hurt, basically forcing New York’s hand to make a deal. Hill, like call-up Tylor Megill, were going to be relied on for much larger roles then the team previously thought. Luckily for the Mets, Hill responded tremendously to this expanded role. He churned in several quality starts while emerging as a rare stalwart in the rotation the last two-plus months of the season.

Hill made every single one of his scheduled starts, plus he continued a game that was previously suspended. His numbers reflected that of a solid number four or five starter in most rotations.

Per Baseball Savant, the savvy veteran did a terrific job limiting hard contact, which was vital as a contact-first pitcher. He ranked in the league’s 60th percentile in average exit velocity (88.3 mph) and in the league’s 79th percentile in hard-hit percentage (34.8 percent). The crafty lefty’s signature curveball generated a batting average against of only .224 and had a spin rate that ranked in the league’s 81st percentile. Hill was very effective in his time with the Mets, allowing two or fewer runs in 62 percent of his appearances with the team and allowing three or fewer runs in all but one appearance.

In trading for him, the Mets gave up Hunter, who did not appear in a game at any level after the trade, while Dyer only played with Tampa Bay’s High-A team as a 23-year-old. This was a relatively low-risk move that paid off for the Mets in a big way despite the lack of a playoff position.

Hill’s last media appearance with the Mets was interesting. He explained that he, “definitely wants to play again next year.” He also mentioned how he, “feels a lot of special things happen here [New York], and it would be something that I [Hill] truly look forward to.” So it appears he did not close a door for a reunion with the Mets.

2022 Outlook

Hill is scheduled to be a free agent at the age of 41. Given his experience, both overall and in the playoffs, he will most likely be a hotter commodity among contenders. Does Hill consider the Mets a contender? Would he be open to a return? The latter certainly seems possible given the press conference mentioned above.

Overall, despite the conference, it seems unlikely the Mets would be at the top of Hill’s list, especially if teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox, or even the New York Yankees come calling. If it were to work out, bringing Hill back to serve as a number five starter would be a terrific move for the organization.