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The Chicago White Sox find themselves in a strange spot after being among the biggest disappointments across the MLB for the second straight year in 2023. The front office has set out to revamp their roster this offseason, and their latest move involves shoring up their bullpen with former Padres veteran Tim Hill.
Hill initially broke into the majors with the Kansas City Royals back in 2018 before spending the past four seasons with the Padres. While he struggled in 2023 (1-4, 5.48 ERA, 26 K, 1.65 WHIP), Hill had solid campaigns in 2021 and 2022, and he will get a chance to prove last year was a fluke after he signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal with Chicago.
Via Jeff Passan:
“Left-handed reliever Tim Hill and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $1.8 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Hill, 33, was nontendered by San Diego this winter and joins a White Sox bullpen where he’ll get plenty of higher-leverage opportunities and innings.”
White Sox make sneaky good move to address their bullpen
There's no hiding the fact that Hill's numbers from last season aren't great, but the 5.48 ERA, and 1.65 WHIP were the highest totals of the veteran lefty's career. Assuming he can pitch like he did in 2021 or 2022, though, Hill could end up being a great low-risk, high-reward for Chicago's bullpen in 2024.
The White Sox have a lot of work to do before they reestablish themselves as a true playoff contender, and sometimes that involves making under the radar moves like this one, rather than flashy signings that cost lots of money. Hill could be a key piece for Chicago's bullpen in 2024, and if that ends up happening, at just $1.8 million, this deal would be easily be labeled a bargain for the Sox.
