Yankees Reportedly Interested in Trading for Royals Reliever Tim Hill
Even though the Yankees bullpen is considered top-tier compared to most MLB teams, Brian Cashman still sees flaws.
This is evident by reports that the Bronx Bombers are reportedly near the front of the line to acquire Royals reliever Tim Hill, who's available via trade.
Royals LHP Tim Hill is drawing plenty of trade interest, with the Yankees chief among the suitors. Hill isn't arbitration-eligible until next year, leaving 4 years of club control. Hill, who turns 30 in February, had a 3.63 ERA/1.109 WHIP and 39 Ks in 39.2 IP (46 G) in 2019.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 27, 2019
The side-armer had a solid sophomore season in 2019, posting a 3.63 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 46 appearances. Hill, at 30 years old, isn't a well-known name throughout the game of baseball, but put up promising numbers in just his second full season.
The Yanks, devoid of a dependable non-Chapman lefty over the past several seasons (since...Boone Logan?!), could use someone like him.
Tim Hill would be a good addition to the Yankees bullpen that wouldn't cost much. He had a strong GB% of 57% last season, on top of a .186 OBA against LHH and .238 OBA against RHH and 8.9 K/9
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) November 27, 2019
Going into the postseason, the Yankees' bullpen was expected to completely shut down opposing teams. And while they were solid, there were moments where overuse eventually doomed them -- somehow, the depth many were expecting never materialized, once the rotation faltered, leading to an overuse of Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle.
Adding one more arm to the bullpen would allow the top relievers like Chapman and the incredibly gassed Ottavino to get even more rest for the postseason, and be as dominant as Yankee fans know they can be.