Five Trade Deadline Targets For The Pittsburgh Pirates

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Jul 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill

36-year-old journeyman Rich Hill is having a career year for the Oakland Athletics. In 76 innings pitched Hill has a 2.25 ERA, 2.57 FIP, and a 3.60 xFIP. Furthermore, he has allowed just two home runs and is averaging 10.66 K/9.

Rich Hill made four starts for the Boston Red Sox last season and pitched 29 innings. In those 29 innings pitched he averaged 11.17 K/9, 1.55 BB/9, and 0.62 HR/9. This resulted in him having a 1.55 ERA, 2.27 FIP, and 2.50 xFIP. This strong work led to the Oakland Athletics signing Hill to a one year deal this past offseason, and he has shown that his 29 innings with the Red Sox last season was not a fluke.

Rich Hill is a player that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been linked to in the very recent past. When Rich Hill started against the Pirates in Oakland on July 2nd, multiple teams scouted him that start including the Pittsburgh Pirates. Like Drew Pomeranz, the fact Hill is a left-handed starter should covert well to PNC Park.

Even though Rich Hill is a free agent at the end of the season, he will not come cheaply. Hill will be one of the most highly sought after starting pitchers in the next three weeks, so the Oakland A’s should have plenty of trade options to choose from. However, I expect Neal Huntington and the Pirates to be one of the teams that makes a run at Hill.

Next: Recapping The Pirates Needs

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