The New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with left-handed reliever Tim Hill, with a $2.5 million club option for 2028, according to reports. The deal has yet to be officially confirmed by the Yankees.
Hill, turning 37 during next spring’s training, posted a 4.60 ERA over 58 2/3 innings last season, striking out 25 batters but allowing 54 hits, including 12 home runs. Those numbers stand out as underwhelming, especially for a reliever on a team with high postseason ambitions. The Yankees left him off their wild-card and division series rosters, reflecting concerns about his recent form.
Despite that, the Yankees appear optimistic that Hill can regain his 2025 form. That year, he recorded a 3.09 ERA and limited left-handed hitters to a .181/.224/.220 slash line. His sidearm delivery has long been effective against lefties, holding them to a .213 batting average and a .611 OPS last year, even as he struggled overall. The Athletic reports the Yankees believe last season’s home run rate was an anomaly rather than a sign of decline.
Hill brings nine major league seasons of experience, with a career 3.94 ERA and an average of 68 appearances per year. After being drafted in the 32nd round by the Kansas City Royals in 2014, he has also pitched for the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox.
The Yankees had one of the best bullpens in baseball last season, finishing with the second-best ERA at 3.13 and ranking fifth in opponent batting average at .213. However, several key relievers, including Hill, Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough, John Schreiber, Michael Fulmer, and closer David Bednar, became free agents after the campaign.
General manager Brian Cashman has emphasized bullpen stability as a priority. He told MLB Network Radio during last week’s GM Meetings that “keeping the bullpen together, or improving on it, is our main priority.” The Yankees are also pursuing relievers Adrián Morejón, who posted a 2.83 ERA with 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings last season, and Jonathan Loáisiga, who had a 2.42 ERA, according to MLB.com.
Securing Hill’s return suggests the Yankees want to maintain at least some continuity in their relief corps, betting that the left-hander can recover his effectiveness against left-handed hitters and reduce the damage from home runs. The deal also gives the Yankees flexibility with the club option for 2028.
As the offseason progresses, the team’s approach to the bullpen will be watched closely, especially with multiple free agents available and targets in pursuit. The Hill agreement is the first confirmed move toward that goal.
According to Yahoo Sports.
