Red Sox Re-Sign Rich Hill

Today, the Red Sox added another cog to what is looking like a very formidable bullpen by re-signing lefty Rich Hill. Hill was on pace for an excellent season in Boston last year-- allowing no runs and striking out 12 in 8 innings early this year. However, as he walked off the field clutching his elbow one summer night, the Red Sox lost one of the key members of the bullpen as Hill went down with Tommy John Surgery about the same time as Dice-K. Despite the recovery time for Tommy John Surgery usually being about a year, Hill is raring to go and could be ready for spring training. The deal is a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Hill will be 31 in 2012 and was having a promising but unsuccessful career as a starter before the Red Sox converted him to a reliever in 2010. He excelled there, striking out over a batter per inning in AAA Pawtucket before the Sox called him up late. This could potentially be a big steal for the Sox, as Hill was on pace for an excellent year in 2011.