Minnesota Twins sign Rich Hill and Homer Bailey

The Minnesota Twins added two pitchers to their starting rotation on Tuesday. According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune,the Twins signed southpaw Rich Hill of Boston, Massachusetts from the Los Angeles Dodgers and righthander Homer Bailey of La Grange, Texas from the Oakland Athletics.

Hill received a one year contract worth $3 million, and Bailey received a one year contract worth $7 million. The fact that Bailey is earning $4 million more than Hill could be considered a surprise because Hill is the better pitcher. Both pitchers have had serious injuries over the last few years. The Twins were in need of improving their starting pitching when they lost Kyle Gibson to the Texas Rangers and Martin Perez to the Boston Red Sox in free agency.

Hill, who has a history of forearm, shoulder, elbow and finger blister problems, only pitched in 13 games in 2019. He had a record of four wins, one loss and an earned run average of 2.45. In 58 2/3 innings, Hill had 72 strikeouts, 18 walks, and gave up 48 hits, 16 earned runs with a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.13.

The Twins become Hill’s ninth Major League Baseball team. In addition to the Dodgers, Hill has pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics.

Bailey had Tommy John surgery in 2015 and had knee issues in 2018. Last season Bailey had a great comeback year. After going 1-14 with the Cincinnati Reds in 2018, Bailey had a record of 13 wins and nine losses in 2019 with the Kansas City Royals and Athletics. He pitched 163 1/3 innings and gave up 162 hits, 83 earned runs and 53 walks. Bailey had 149 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.32.