With less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Tampa, the New York Yankees have made a crucial move, signing left-handed reliever Tim Hill to a contract. Hill, who played a key role in the Yankees’ bullpen last season, was a free agent and had garnered interest from several teams, including the Mets, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Angels.
Hill, who will turn 35 in February, had a standout season with the Yankees after being released by the White Sox. He posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 44 regular-season innings, a significant improvement after struggling in Chicago. Under the guidance of pitching coach Matt Blake, Hill embraced adjustments to his sinker, which helped him become one of the best in the majors at avoiding barrels and generating groundballs.
The Yankees had been slow to re-sign Hill, despite the “mutual interest” between the two sides. However, with the clock ticking toward spring training, the Yankees moved quickly to secure the reliable lefty. Hill’s success last season, including a strong postseason performance, made him a valuable asset to the Yankees’ bullpen as they look to build on recent success.
This signing ensures that Hill will be back in the Yankees’ bullpen, continuing the team’s tradition of success with reclamation projects under Blake’s coaching. The Yankees now head into spring training with a strengthened roster, ready to compete in the upcoming season.
