Bluejays Decline Options on Hill.

SargentBargs101 · Post #1 » by **SargentBargs101** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 9:10 pm

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/b ... tions.html

Post #2 » by **Schad** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 9:37 pm

Just to be clear, this doesn't mean that he's a free agent after the season; they will still have the right to pick up the '12 and '13 options should he blow up.

Good decision...allows us to lock him up for two more years if he plays well, or let him walk (or re-sign him for less) this off-season if he doesn't.

satyr9 · Post #3 » by **satyr9** » Fri Apr 1, 2011 10:13 pm

This is a very interesting contract, but I'm not sure it's a model you'll see repeated very often.

So funny how quick things can turn though. If I remember correctly, after the first year he signed the deal it looked like they wouldn't pick it up, then after his big year 2 years ago it looked like a sure thing they would, and after last year it was 50/50. To me it seems like the team and agent gauged that deal just about right.

Now, I think he'll probably play well enough to get the 2 years picked up, but I don't think he's a valuable enough guy to really justify locking in 8million in 2014, although I guess it's possible Hech plays well enough and progresses fast enough to make them need to shuffle the infield in which case anything's possible.

baulderdash77 · Post #4 » by **baulderdash77** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 12:48 pm

If he's hitting .280 or better with 25 HR's or better then his contract is a good deal. If he's not batting that well then we'll clear a spot for Hech to step in.

rtcaino · Post #5 » by **rtcaino** » Sat Apr 2, 2011 3:20 pm

I wonder what the chances of AA offering arb to Hill is and going for another compensation pick?

Hill's 2010 was rather poor by his standards, but it wasn't exceptionally horrible for a second baseman.

Michael Bradley · Post #6 » by **Michael Bradley** » Mon Apr 4, 2011 12:47 pm

Hill was bad by any standards last season. A .271 OBP, .665 OPS, and declining defense at a critical defensive position. His offensive and defensive drops may have been injury related (especially defense), but it was noticable nonetheless. He has now had two sub-.700 OPS seasons in the last three and will be 30 at the beginning of next season. Second baseman do not always age very gracefully. Not picking up his options right now was a no brainer.

With Hech and Lawrie coming up, and Escobar still under control for three more seasons, I think Hill's days are probably numbered unless he comes close to his 2009 form.