Mets Land Veteran Lefty Rich Hill from Rays for Tommy Hunter, Matt Dyer

The New York Mets have reached a deal to acquire left-hander pitcher Rich Hill from the Tampa Rays. And it won’t cost them any top prospects.

In exchange for the 41-year-old Hill, the Mets will ship veteran righty Tommy Hunter (currently on the injured list) and minor league catcher/infielder Matt Dyer to the Rays, per sources.

Hill has recorded a 3.87 ERA across 95 1/3 innings thus far in 2021, but has sputtered in his last seven starts. He has surrendered 20 runs on 34 hits and 16 walks in 33 1/3 frames.

Nevertheless, New York has suffered a rash of injuries to its starting rotation. Ace Jacob deGrom’s forearm stiffness has relegated him to the injured list. Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco have yet to pitch this season, and David Peterson is out with an oblique strain, which can turn into a long-term injury.

The Mets’ other backup options–Joey Lucchesi, Jordan Yamamoto, and Thomas Szapucki–are out with season-ended injuries.  

Therefore, Hill makes for a solid pickup for team in need of capable starting arms.

Just a note: Hill climb the hill (pun intended) with the independent Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks in 2015, at the age of 35 (11 innings, 21 K, 2 H) after the Washington Nationals designated him for assignment. Since then, in seven campaigns, Hill has posted a 49-26 record with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.079 WHIP, according to Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post.

Moreover, that impressive performance earned Hill approximately $58 million. Hey, not bad for a guy taking from an independent baseball league.

— Jerry Del Priore