Dodgers News: Rich Hill Would Love to Return to Los Angeles in 2020

When the Dodgers first acquired Rich Hill in 2016, nobody knew what would follow. The Dodgers had struggled with injuries and consistency in their starting rotation and with Clayton Kershaw spending time on and off the IL, they needed stability at the position. Most fans were skeptical about the Dodgers giving up three highly rated prospects for a 36-year-old pitcher who was out of baseball just over a year ago.

But Hill would fit right in as a Dodger, taking that two spot right behind Kershaw and running with it. Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi were so impressed by Hill’s performance that they signed him to a three-year $48 million contract the following off-season. That contract expired at the end of this season.

Rich Hill, among the Dodgers set to become free agents, expressed his desire to return to the club after the season ended.

“I’d love to get the opportunity to come back here and wear the Dodger uniform again."https://t.co/33J2LdF3rV

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) October 17, 2019

According to Dodger Insider, Hill has said he would “love” to stay with the club in 2020.

“I’d love to get the opportunity to come back here and wear the Dodger uniform again,” he told Dodger Insider. “It was really cool. It was a great honor, and hopefully something will play out and I can come back into this locker room and be part of this club. It’s just going to be a lot of fun watching these guys, good young players and a really good pitching staff coming back too.”

Hill went on to say that he believes the Dodgers will remain one of the best teams in baseball next year because of their mix of young talent and returning veterans.

Despite dealing with forearm and knee injuries throughout 2019, Hill put up a 2.45 ERA in 2019. He has gone 30-16 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over three seasons as a Dodger.

Although he will be 40 next season, Friedman believes that Hill will continue playing. He admitted that Hill will always be one of his favorite guys in the clubhouse and somebody he’s enjoyed watching in October, but also said he’s “not sure” what that means for 2020.

“There’s still a lot to kind of unpack there,” Friedman said.