The Rich Hill market seems to be heating up.
Three teams have emerged as the favorite for Hill's services, with the Rays, Brewers and Mets all showing significant interest in the 40-year-old lefty.
The Red Sox had been in on Hill throughout the offseason, but have seemed to veer off after acquiring southpaw Martin Perez and righty Garrett Richards.
Hill, a Milton native who still makes his offseason home in Massachusetts, is coming off a 2020 season with the Twins in which he appeared in eight games, totaling a 3.03 ERA. Opposing hitters managed just a .204 batting average against the starter in his only year with Minnesota.
The former Red Sox spent 2017-19 with the Dodgers, going a combined 27-14 with a 3.30 ERA. In eight postseason starts during his time with Los Angeles, Hill had a 2.43 ERA and .185 batting average against.
Appearing on the Bradfo Sho podcast earlier in offseason, Hill explained his perspective when it came to free agency:
“I feel like I'm fortunate to be a position ... I never thought, when you think back five years ago or six years ago after a third act, so to speak for myself in my career, how the mindset has totally changed from when you're a rookie,” Hill sai). “Now it's almost looking at Vegas and seeing who is going to win the World Series next year and calling them up. That's how I feel. I want to win a Word Series and I want to be a part of that.
“I’m going to be 41 next year. I feel like I'm in great shape. I feel like I obviously have the ability to contribute and contribute in a big way. That's why we chose Minnesota last year. Coming off the season where they won over 100 games and seeing they had the opportunity that they put themselves in to be competitive. And not only be competitive but really have a chance to win. Unfortunately it didn't work out.
“A lot of things that are going to go into the decision of where we're going to sign this year I think one of them, and one of the big ones, is winning. Understanding that is first and foremost. Also, location. For my family and being able to see the games and have our son around. Just being a part of it is very important.”