NY Mets rumors of former Yankees player interest suggest slight philosophical change

If taking Juan Soto from the New York Yankees this offseason was a chokeslam, recent New York Mets rumors of their interest in another one of their players is probably closer to a finger poke of doom. It’ll only hurt if you let it topple you over.

According to Tim Healey of Newsday, the Mets are interested in lefty reliever Tim Hill. A scrap heap pickup by the Yankees last season from the Chicago White Sox, Hill upgraded in a major way.

Hill’s 2.05 ERA in 44 innings for the Yankees after a 5.87 ERA performance in 23 frames for the White Sox couldn’t have been scripted better even if the guy who wrote The Mighty Ducks was the screenwriter. He did it without relying on strikeouts. Hill’s 1.8 walks per 9 was excellent and yet his 3.7 strikeouts per 9 as a member of the Yankees left a lot to be desired.

Mets rumors of their interest in Tim Hill suggest a slight change in philosophy

A change of heart perhaps? Last year, the Mets seemed to prefer relievers who could strike batters out. Even guys buried on the depth chart never to see the light of day tended to have this quality about them. David Stearns regularly ignored a lack of control, hoping the coaches could harness the wildness. Those big fancy strikeout numbers would get the job done. The team led the league in strikeouts per 9 by relievers at 10.61. It came at the cost the third-worst walk rate by relievers at 4.11 per 9.

This isn’t who Hill has been for a couple of years. His early career had some favorable strikeout numbers. Over the last couple of years, his strikeouts have been far below average. What he has been consistent about is getting groundball outs. His career low in any season came in the shortened 2020 season when he was at a still impressive 52.9%. He was effective in this area with the Yankees and White Sox last year, finishing at 66.5%. He was at 69% with the Yankees.

Batters still managed to make good contact against him. A hard-hit rate of 42.8%, he wasn’t always getting the softest contact. Hill made himself a candidate to return to the Yankees because of the ability to keep the ball in the yard, throw strikes, and make the infielders work.

Hill would be a far less satisfying roster addition than Tanner Scott. Cheaper by miles as well, something relative to the $2.5 million Hoby Milner got from the Texas Rangers is a good estimate.

There is only one reason to sign Hill. It isn’t to tease the Yankees who lack a lefty reliever in their bullpen. It isn’t to save money either. Do it because you actually believe he makes this team the powerhouse we’re hoping they become.