How the Twins Could Get the Most Out of Rich Hill

Who knows? Its an Interesting thought, but something like this just might work.

Also, it's a very petty quibble but... "health problems"?   That makes is sound like he should be on a telethon while slow, sad music plays and you feel like a horrible human being for not donating while he tells you how said telethon org made his life bearable and livable again with their life saving treatment.

Injury problems or injury prone self maybe, but health problems conjures up repressed memories of my dark, dark heart.   Thanks, I feel sad now . 

Homer Bailey >

I look at Hill as a lottery ticket. He'll be 40 this season and coming off a UCL repair operation that is fairly new (and thus the outcome is not as well understood as a full Tommy John replacement). If he can come back and perform anywhere close to what he was before the injury it could be a big boost down the stretch. Unfortunately, I suspect there is an equal chance that he pitches under 5 games before being released. I'm not going to form any expectations or plans until he is back and pitching successfully in the majors.

If we get 40 IP out if Hill, I will consider this a great signing. I have never seen a guy with more injuries, yet still come back to dominate at times.

Homer Bailey >

Homer Simpson?

However the Twins decide to do it, I hope Hill is lightly used during the regular season. His value to this team IMO is using him in the post season if he can get back to form.

Relying on him as a consistent Starter in the regular season from the point he comes back to the end of the season increases the risk associated with him.

Overall he's still a low risk high ceiling player who could provide a boost next October,  

Granted, he gets no say in the matter but that style of usage would really cut into his earning capabilities; contract is really structured on his getting healthy and making starts moreso than just spot pitching and picking up stray innings.  If he's a hot temper sort of guy, he would probably not be too happy with your scenario....

Incentives:
$1 million for 5 games started or 25 innings
$1M for 7 starts/35 innings
$1M for 9 starts/45 innings
$1.5M for 11 starts/55 innings
$2M for 13 starts/65 innings
$3M for 15 starts/75 innings

The only way to get anything out of him is if he looks like this every second he isn't on the mound:

Contenders should be better off than this. Limping into the season is not how I like to start.

 his GS and IP can be moderated to keep him strong.

His body will probably take care of that for them. I'm expecting nothing from him so I can be surprised.

Contenders should be better off than this. Limping into the season is not how I like to start.

I hate every bit of this situation. The Twins utterly failed to get what they needed on the starting pitching front and it's gonna cost them dearly this season IMO.

That said, it also highlights another concerning issue which is the collective view of MLB players towards the Twins. As the Donaldson situation drags on it looks more and more likely that there is indeed a very real reputation in MLB baseball that "nobody wants to play in Minnesota" unless you are desperate, second rate, a retread, or close to retirement. Apparently the Nat's have dropped out and all that is left is the Braves and Twins with 4 year deals left on the table. 

This might seem like Capt. obvious statements to some of us, but going forward it's a potential huge obstacle in situations where the Twins indeed are willing to spend big on free agents but nobody is willing to even play ball with them and negotiate a deal due to the "historic contraction era cheapness" under Ryan.  Even with the history of the Mauer contract the legacy lives on.

Who knows? Its an Interesting thought, but something like this just might work.

 

Also, it's a very petty quibble but... "health problems"?   That makes is sound like he should be on a telethon while slow, sad music plays and you feel like a horrible human being for not donating while he tells you how said telethon org made his life bearable and livable again with their life saving treatment.

 

Injury problems or injury prone self maybe, but health problems conjures up repressed memories of my dark, dark heart.   Thanks, I feel sad now .

I would suggest a motorized scooter

I hate every bit of this situation. The Twins utterly failed to get what they needed on the starting pitching front and it's gonna cost them dearly this season IMO.

 

That said, it also highlights another concerning issue which is the collective view of MLB players towards the Twins. As the Donaldson situation drags on it looks more and more likely that there is indeed a very real reputation in MLB baseball that "nobody wants to play in Minnesota" unless you are desperate, second rate, a retread, or close to retirement. Apparently the Nat's have dropped out and all that is left is the Braves and Twins with 4 year deals left on the table. 

 

This might seem like Capt. obvious statements to some of us, but going forward it's a potential huge obstacle in situations where the Twins indeed are willing to spend big on free agents but nobody is willing to even play ball with them and negotiate a deal due to the "historic contraction era cheapness" under Ryan.  Even with the history of the Mauer contract the legacy lives on.

Why would a player pass on the Twins because they had a perception the Twins have been cheap in the past If the Twins have the high offer and the player was only interested in the high offer? Sorry, your bid was the highest but I won't play for you because I don't think you have bid aggressively with other FAs?

"How they could get the best out of Rich Hill?"

See if he is up for cooking the postgame meals. Maybe ask him if he is able to help with janitor duties or would mind selling peanuts and cracker jacks. LOL

Just kidding. I think the best use of this guy is as a starting pitcher. That has always been his role, he's old and used to it. Get him back healthy, ease him into it and when they need solid starts down the stretch or into the playoffs, milk him for every last pitch he has left. Chew him up and spit him out so to say. 

Why would a player pass on the Twins because they had a perception the Twins have been cheap in the past If the Twins have the high offer and the player was only interested in the high offer? Sorry, your bid was the highest but I won't play for you because I don't think you have bid aggressively with other FAs?

Because the perception is that they never truly "Go for it" and do whatever it takes to bring in the right players to win a world series.