Hill Richly Rewarded by Oakland, And It Speaks Volumes for Atlantic LeagueBy Bob Wirz While Oakland's signing of left-hander Rich Hill for $6 million gives the 35-year-old more financial security than he could have imagined a few months ago when he was pitching for the Long Island Ducks it also makes a major statement for many other players who are in the free agent world today or will find themselves without a contract when they get a dreaded pink slip at the end of spring training. If you are healthy and still believe your talent is major league quality, the Atlantic League is an option. A very good option. While Hill already had considerable major league experience as Houston lefty Scott Kazmir did when he sought a fresh start at Sugar Land three years earlier their days in The Show were slipping away. They would not get back to the game's top level--and the potential of giant paydays--unless they proved they still had IT to any one of the 30 major league organizations. These current examples should make the Atlantic League a juicy consideration for many other players in the future. In fact, one other case already bears watching. Minnesota just signed one more left-handed pitcher, Dan Runzler, who was described a "filthy" (an endearing baseball term for those hard to hit), during a stint at Sugar Land late last season. He was placed on the Triple-A Rochester, NY roster, but it is difficult to imagine he will not get a look from the parent Twins in the spring with improving the bullpen one of the needs they have confirmed. Hill's deal, one of the major leagues' few actual free agent signings so far this fall, came on the heels of an exceptional late season run that started at Long Island and continued for the International League's Pawtucket (RI) Red Sox and their parent team at fabled Fenway Park. Media reports indicate he was coveted by San Diego, Tampa Bay and "numerous other teams" and may have turned down more money elsewhere but liked his chances of starting for the Athletics. While the $6 million, one-year contract has to feel very good for Hill since it is nearly twice his career earnings, he seems to have a solid chance of being in Oakland's starting rotation which includes ace Sonny Gray plus young candidates Jesse Hahn, Chris Bassitt, Kendall Graveman, touted prospect Sean Manaea and veteran Jesse Chavez, who may now become trade bait. Hill was exceptional in his two starts for the Ducks (two hits, 21 strikeouts in 11 scoreless innings), then posted a 2-1 record with a 1.59 ERA in four strong September starts for Boston. He struck out 36--a rare 10 in three consecutive appearances--allowing only 14 hits and five walks in 29 innings to build his career record to 26-23 in 201 appearances. Runzler has been almost exclusively a relief pitcher since he started an eight-year run in the San Francisco Giants organization and pitched 89 times for the parent club, but only six of those have been since 2011. He was exceptional in 19 outings for Sugar Land, posting a 0.52 earned run average and striking out 20 (three walks) in 17.1 innings, and will not turn 31 until March 30 when he could be wearing a Minnesota uniform if he displays the same form during spring training he had for the Skeeters. David Espinosa to Scout for Marlins Longtime minor league outfielder David Espinosa, whose 15-year career included time at Southern Maryland, York and Camden, has taken a job of scouting the Independent leagues for the Miami Marlins. Irvine, Broderick Solid in Mexico Recent Arizona signee Lucas Irvine (Somerset, Camden) and free agent Brian Broderick (Sugar Land) are among those enjoying productive seasons in the Mexican League. Irvine is 3-0, 3.09 after seven starts while Broderick is 1-1 with 11 saves and a 2.76 ERA after 17 outings. Previously the chief spokesman for Commissioners Bowie Kuhn and Peter Ueberroth, Bob Wirz has been writing extensively about the Atlantic League and Independent Baseball since 2003 |
![]()
Browse by Month »
June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 |