The A's pulled off their first significant move of the offseason Tuesday by agreeing to terms with left-hander Rich Hill on a one-year $6 million contract, pending a physical, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to CSN California.
Hill, an 11-year veteran who turns 36 in March, presumably will slot right into the rotation, adding a needed veteran to a staff that has two young starters coming off season-ending injuries in 2015.
Hill isn't a big-name addition that generates buzz in this deep and talented free agent pitching market. Rather, he's a veteran journeyman who adds depth and, the A's hope, a consistent presence in the middle-to back of the rotation.
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[STIGLICH: Hahn's health holds a key for A's 2016 rotation]
Hill is 26-23 with a 4.54 ERA in 201 games (74 starts) over a career that's been spent with seven different organizations. However, he was excellent last season in his only four big league appearances, all with Boston. Hill went 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in four starts, including a shutout.
He'll likely slot into a rotation that features ace Sonny Gray, Jesse Hahn, Kendall Graveman and perhaps Chris Bassitt. Hahn and Graveman missed large chunks of 2015 with season-ending injuries.
Right-hander Jesse Chavez -- who could help a team starting or relieving -- is generating trade interest, according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan. It makes sense the A's could consider dealing him given Hill's addition.
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Robert Murray of Baseball Essential was first to report that the A's had come to an agreement with Hill.