Tim

Hill

Hill will be back as a key figure in the Yankees’ bullpen. The 35-year-old has very little strikeout appeal, which means he’s off all fantasy radars, but he did post a 3.09 ERA and 1.10 WHIP for the Yankees in 67 innings, so he has been a valuable real-life reliever for them.

This makes sense since Williams has been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances while registering a 15/2 K/BB ratio in those 10 innings. He has had more success in the eighth inning than the ninth inning since joining the Yankees, but he has a long track record of success as a closer and should slide back into the role for the next month or more. However, the fact that Boone said “most of the closing” implies that there could be some stray saves for Fernando Cruz or maybe Tim Hill if there is a pocket of left-handed hitters coming up.

The option contains a $350,000 buyout. Hill was outstanding for the Yankees after joining New York from the White Sox, and the 34-year-old southpaw will serve as a bridge to closer Devin Williams.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that it’s a one-year, $2.85 million contract that includes a club option for 2026 for $3 million with a $350,000 buyout. Hill appeared in 62 games between the White Sox and Yankees during the 2024 season while forging a 3.36 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 31/19 K/BB over that timeframe. He should be a middle-inning option for the Yankees behind Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to begin 2025.

It’s quite entertaining to see the Rockies and Angels in the mix with a handful of legitimate contenders for one of the better lefty relievers left on the open market. The Mets and Yankees have been linked to Hill throughout the offseason with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks making a ton of sense as potential landing spots as well.

The Yankees are also interested in bringing back the 34-year-old southpaw. Hill appeared in 62 games between the White Sox and Yankees during the 2024 season, compiling a 3.36 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 31/19 K/BB ratio. Wherever he winds up, he’ll function in a middle relief role and won’t have much utility from a fantasy perspective.

The 34-year-old hurler has been well-traveled over the past two seasons, making 20 or more appearances for four different ballclubs. He became a free agent in November when the Rangers declined his $6.5 million option and interest on the open market has been slow to this point. The Yankees are also interested in bringing back Tim Hill, so they appear to be casting a wide net in their search for a quality left-hander to add to their bullpen.

Hill was released by the White Sox in June after posting a 5.87 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, and 13/10 K/BB ratio in 23 innings. However, after signing with the Yankees, the left-hander had a 2.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 18/9 K/BB ratio in 44 innings. He won’t be a fantasy asset but would be a strong addition to the Yankees’ bullpen.

Hill was designated for assignment by the White Sox last Wednesday and was subsequently released after posting a 5.87 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, and 13/10 K/BB ratio across 23 innings (27 appearances) this season with the White Sox. The Yankees bullpen is banged up right now, so Hill will be a welcome addition as a healthy arm.

Hill went unclaimed on waivers, with zero clubs interested in picking up the remaining portion of his one-year, $1.8 million contract, after being removed last week from Chicago’s 40-man roster. The 34-year-old lefty figures to latch on somewhere in the coming weeks, but might have to settle for a minor league contract after posting a lackluster 5.87 ERA, 2.22 WHIP and 13/10 K/BB ratio across 23 innings (27 appearances) this season in his White Sox debut.