Red Sox sign Rich Hill to minor league deal

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Red Sox have signed left-handed reliever and Milton, Mass native Rich Hill (pictured) to a minor league deal. Should Hill make it to the majors he will earn a salary of $840,000, and the deal includes $500,000 in appearance bonuses. It also includes three opt out dates if he is not on the major league roster; one at the end of spring training, one on May 15th, and one on June 30th.

Hill previously pitched for the Red Sox and their affiliates in 2010, 2011, and 2012, but had to have Tommy John surgery on June 9th, 2011. He recovered well and went on to throw 18 2/3 innings in 2012 with a 1.83 ERA as one of the few bright spots during a very tough Red Sox season.

In 2013, Hill signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians, but results were less impressive. He threw 38 2/3 innings with a 6.28 ERA. He was able to strikeout 51 batters, but unfortunately control has never been Hill's strength and he walked 29. The Red Sox will have the veteran of nine major league seasons come to spring training as bullpen depth, and hope that he can regain some of the form that made him a solid reliever for the team in 2012.

The Red Sox have also re-signed infielder Ryan Dent to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America. Dent is an excellent athlete, who was selected by Boston in the first round of the 2007 Draft. He is a strong defensive player, but the bat has lagged behind and the 24-year-old has spent the last couple years shuttling between Portland and Pawtucket.

Photo Credit: Rich Hill by Kelly O'Connor.

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