Cubs scouting Rich Hill

[mdwilla]

Talked with a Cubs scout today and he mentioned that the Cubs have had multiple scouts following each of Rich Hill's last 3 starts. He's a favorite of Jared Porters, the Cubs also had discussions with Hill during the offseason but not could guarantee him a spot in the rotation. The Cubs view Hill as an Andrew Miller type out of the bullpen for the stretch run while also providing a way to lengthen the Cubs rotation. With high upside SP/multi years control pitchers not growing on trees the Cubs are looking at rentals to fill needs.

[Banedon]

I put this in the baseball gif thread, but I'm gonna repost it here as well.

 

https://gfycat.com/GorgeousUntimelyAmericanwigeon

[CubInOK]

I put this in the baseball gif thread, but I'm gonna repost it here as well.

 

https://gfycat.com/GorgeousUntimelyAmericanwigeon

He still got it.

[UMFan83]

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/rich-hill-of-the-chicago-cubs-throws-a-pitch-against-the-arizona-picture-id77263200

http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/rich-hill-of-the-chicago-cubs-watches-a-lead-off-home-run-by-chris-picture-id77212992

http://arizonasports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ChrisYoung.jpg

[Little Slide Rooter]

There's always the irrational fear that a return to Wrigley sparks bad memories and he goes back to walking everything in sight.

 

But in all seriousness, I have to wonder if Billy's going to try and do business with a GM who he has a better chance of fleecing since his other trade chips are broken.

[David]

There's always the irrational fear that a return to Wrigley sparks bad memories and he goes back to walking everything in sight.

 

But in all seriousness, I have to wonder if Billy's going to try and do business with a GM who he has a better chance of fleecing since his other trade chips are broken.

 

Billy's going to always try and do business with whoever gives him the best return.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Somehow Rich Hill has pitched in the majors in every year since he came up as a Cub in 2005. He's spent a lot of time in the minors throughout that run, but for some reason I thought he had a longer path back to the majors, rather than him being in the majors literally every year.

 

And, yeah, sure, I'll take Rich Hill. But at what cost?

[Aaron_Kennelly]

If Billy Beane is going to limit his trade partners to teams that haven't fleeced him, then he's not going to have very many teams to work with. He's made a lot of really bad trades lately.

[SouthSideRyan]

Once again, the conservative Rich Hill heavy portfolio pays off for the shersey investor.

[sneakypower]

If Billy Beane is going to limit his trade partners to teams that haven't fleeced him, then he's not going to have very many teams to work with. He's made a lot of really bad trades lately.

possibly on topic, would you believe Khris Davis has the most HR in baseball since last year's trade deadline?

[Aaron_Kennelly]

If Billy Beane is going to limit his trade partners to teams that haven't fleeced him, then he's not going to have very many teams to work with. He's made a lot of really bad trades lately.

possibly on topic, would you believe Khris Davis has the most HR in baseball since last year's trade deadline?

 

I believe he is tied for first, right? With Chris Davis. At least that is what I saw a couple days ago.

[sneakypower]

those two and Cespedes all have 32 in that span

[UMFan83]

My biggest thing is that I don't really see Rich Hill as a drastically better alternative in a playoff rotation than Hendricks/Hammel. I know his numbers look pretty good but he hasn't throw 100 innings in a season (including minors and independent ball) since 2007! The pitching market seems thin and many teams can use a pitcher. Do we really want to give up what would likely be a haul for him?

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel like if something as weird as Rich Hill and Matt Murton ending up back on this team would make Theo this guy:

 

[Aaron_Kennelly]

those two and Cespedes all have 32 in that span

 

Ah, I think Cespedes just caught up to them. It was a much cooler factoid when it was just the Davises, C/Khris.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Can Rich Hill be had without giving up any top 5 prospects (Contreras, Torres, Almora, Eloy, Happ)? Would two prospects in the back half of the top 10 get it done (say, Jeimer and Underwood), or am I underestimating his market value?

[Bobson Dugnutt]

I really have no idea how to value a guy that's pitched 162 major league innings over the last seven seasons and is set to be a free agent at the end of the year.

[sneakypower]

Can Rich Hill be had without giving up any top 5 prospects (Contreras, Torres, Almora, Eloy, Happ)? Would two prospects in the back half of the top 10 get it done (say, Jeimer and Underwood), or am I underestimating his market value?

the Leake deal seems like a reasonable precedent, and Mella's decent but he's never been a top-100 prospect, so i'd think that would be do-able unless of course Hill pitches at this high of a level for 2 more months, then you're looking more for a Cueto-type package i'd think

[Sammy Sofa]

http://www.milb.com/images/448179/generic/180x270/448179.jpg

[Transmogrified Tiger]

ERA leaders (min 80 IP), last calendar year

 

Arrieta 1.35

Kershaw 1.42

Hill 1.97

Brach* 1.98

Betances* 2.10

Strasburg 2.25

 

*RP

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Can Rich Hill be had without giving up any top 5 prospects (Contreras, Torres, Almora, Eloy, Happ)? Would two prospects in the back half of the top 10 get it done (say, Jeimer and Underwood), or am I underestimating his market value?

the Leake deal seems like a reasonable precedent, and Mella's decent but he's never been a top-100 prospect, so i'd think that would be do-able unless of course Hill pitches at this high of a level for 2 more months, then you're looking more for a Cueto-type package i'd think

 

If the intent is truly to make him a reliever, I'd pay a slight premium to acquire him early. That way they can get him in the organization and manage his workload the way they'd like to, rather than watch him throw 6-8 inning outings every 5th day as the A's showcase him to the rest of the league. I'm worried about him running out of gas at some point with a starter workload, so the sooner the Cubs can get him pitching on their preferred schedule, the better.

[ConstableRabbit]

http://www.milb.com/images/448179/generic/180x270/448179.jpg

Dat hat.

[ConstableRabbit]

ERA leaders (min 80 IP), last calendar year

 

Arrieta 1.35

Kershaw 1.42

Hill 1.97

Brach* 1.98

Betances* 2.10

Strasburg 2.25

 

*RP

I prefer min 60 IP myself.

[UMFan83]

ERA leaders (min 80 IP), last calendar year

 

Arrieta 1.35

Kershaw 1.42

Hill 1.97

Brach* 1.98

Betances* 2.10

Strasburg 2.25

 

*RP

I prefer min 60 IP myself.

 

The Cubs were too good to get Rondon another 20 innings.

[SouthSideRyan]

If you change it to minimum 2 IP for the last 5 years, the leader is Chris Davis.