Dodgers: Andrew Friedman Talks Potential Rich Hill Return, 2020 Role of Dustin May
This off-season, the Dodgers can go in a multitude of directions with their starting rotation. They can stand pat with what they have, they can stand pat while bringing back Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu, or they could immerse themselves in the open market. That third option is the best.
Andrew Friedman talked to the media at the GM Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ about the potential return of 40-year-old Rich Hill and rookie Dustin May’s role in 2020.
Andrew Friedman is pushing back against the thought that the Dodgers won't be (and haven't been) active in terms of big-name free agents. He also clarified the team's future at one key position but didn't offer much on others.
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— The Athletic L.A. (@TheAthleticLA) November 14, 2019
Return of Dick Mountain
Andrew Friedman appears to be somewhat open to a reunion with 40-year-old left-hander Rich Hill with his recent comments:
“Rich, obviously, has played a very central role in our past success. We have a ton of respect for him on and off the field. Naturally, I think, conversations will take place with the guys that have been a big part of what we’ve done.”
It would not be surprising at all to see Rich Hill return to the Dodgers on a cheaper deal. He has been a huge part of the Dodgers’ postseason runs while he has been on a 3-year, $48 million deal.
Big Red, Big 2020?
Dustin May could be poised for a big 2020 if he gets handed the keys to a rotation spot early in the season. As it stands, Andrew Friedman says May will enter camp as a starting pitcher.
“We view him as a major-league starter. So, that’s not something that we would shortchange. As we get near the end of the year, all things are open again.”
The Dodgers have a plethora of arms with Tony Gonsolin also in the mix as a rookie. Depending on what the Dodgers decide to do this offseason, May could have a huge impact on the 2020 season.
Yeah, Hill’s views from the dl, and his ability to give us four whole innings as a starter have been crucial. Lmao.
He takes a clearance price contract, bring him on board! He wants that ring, unfortunately we still have Dave Roberts as our manager.
Exactly, and after what he did to sabotage the NLDS for the Dodgers I would not be surprised if he is greeted with a chorus of boos upon walking on to the field on opening day at DS.
Paul, one website says we are looking to resign Hill, while another says we are going to pursue Gerrit Cole aggressively. Am I missing something here, or is Friedman not taking his cold medication? Go Blue!!! Go PD Jr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friedman views Hill as the perfect regular season pitcher that can give him 100 innings, a 4-4 record, and will get hammered in the playoff’s, for a very CHEAP price. Defines Friedman to a ” T ” …..Hence why we have 0 Rings…….
Also it is why I firmly believe that no top FA pitcher will be with the Dodgers in 2020.
Friedman is also Tricky with his wording… He claims he’s been “Active.” Instead of “Succesful” with free Agents.. Every single GM is Active… Making phone calls to Scott Boras saying NO Thanks for that price is being Active in his world I suppose….
He should be a #6 starter for like 3 games over the entire season. Does anyone really care? Roberts is the Manager so guess what… There will be no world Series win anyhow.
Very true, Nik. No WS rings as long as Roberts is here to sabotage the playoffs each year.
Right on the money!!!!
Daniel your statement “This off-season, the Dodgers can go in a multitude of directions with their starting rotation. They can stand pat with what they have, they can stand pat while bringing back Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu, or they could immerse themselves in the open market. That third option is the best.”
If you are going to be a sportswriter that has any credibility. Not that there are very many of those…
You really should back up your statements with stats. The Dodgers had a top tier starting pitching staff last year. It has a good chance of improving with Kershaw, Buehler, Maeda, Urias and possibly May as starters. I believe they will sign Ryu.
Buying pitchers is not what the Dodgers are going to do. They have pitchers that very possibly can match Cole or Strasberg this coming season or next such as Urias, May, Gonsolin or Grey. Their biggest problem is Roberts.
The Dodgers have the chance to stop all of the platooning with playing Seager, Muncy, Turner, Bellinger, Lux, Smith and Verdugo full time. The roster as is they should platoon left field with Pollock and Peterson. The 2020 team has the opportunity to be better than the 2019 team as it has better players that hopefully will start such as Smith, Verdugo and Lux. And the addition of Urias who is incredibly talented and should be off of most inning restrictions plus May and Gonsolin barring a trade.
So tmaxster, if we play Muncy and Lux full time, then I guess you are implying that Muncy will play 3rd and Turner at 1st? I’d like to see us go for Rendon, but knowing Friedman, if he went for anyone, it would probably be Donaldson on a shorter contract. I’d like to see us somehow dump Pollack and Pederson and get Betts or at least significantly upgrade left field. Since we missed out on LHP Smith, maybe Hill can be signed to a 1 year incentive deal and used out of the pen. With Ryu gone and Urias as a starter, Hill to the pen makes the most sense to me unless we can pull off a trade for a LHP closer.
IMHO the rotation tmaxster talks about just might not be good enough to be competitive in the PS and or WS., at least not yet this year. the only way Dodgers can be better is if they obtain an impact RHB for the middle of the lineup. Freidman was not too happy with what this LH heavy lineup did in the NLDS and yes Dodgers can try and avoid this shuffling and platooning of players and that comes as a result of too many players being 1 dimensional as far as being able to hit against both hands of a pitcher.
TX, your opinion is as valid as mine but the Dodgers rotation as currently structured has failed. Kersh is at best a #3, Urius has declined from what he was supposed to be. Maeda tires every year by season’s end. Then expecting May and Gonsolin to become qualified playoff post season anchor’s is a huge “IF”mentality. We’ve seen this group including this year fail when we needed shut down pitchers. The Bull pen is still a mess etc. None of our pitchers with the exception of Buehler have delivered in the Post season. Maeda has done well in the pen, but you have him being a Starter. This team will never get back to the world Series with this current group. We Need Cole or Wheeler, and either Rendon and Lindor. If this team does nothing ” Like always”, it will be yet another wasted season putting blame on everything except the real reason…MONEY, and the dodgers unwillingness to go for it all….
“Kershaw is at best a #3,”…Umm, he had the 10th lowest ERA in the Majors, tied 8th in WHIP, went 16-5 with 7 no decisions. In those 7 ND’s he gave up 2 or fewer runs in 5 of them. I’ll take that for a “#3” all year long.
That was in the regular season. But where it really counts in October, CK could not and has not been able to deliver and I am talking about in each of the last 7 full post seasons.
The Dodgers have one of the most talented teams in baseball. Their record speaks for itself. Their problem as most of us agree, is their manager. He just doesn’t have what it takes to make critical decisions at critical times. He’s a great guy and he was fun to watch as a player. That said, enough is enough. This is professional sports! It requires a real leader, not just a nice guy. It’s time for a managerial change! Period!!
If Freidman resigns Hill, who didn’t pitch one full season while being paid $48 million for three, it proves that Hill does have the so-called ‘pictures’ on him.
The Dodgers need to let go of sentimental players ( JANSEN ) ( HILL ) a few others and look to the 2020 season coming up soon , look at reality to make needed changes in the organization from the players to management , keep most of there anylitics where it belongs because it sure didn’t work for the Dodgers so keep up the good work ….. FRONT OFFICE.
Hill can be used in the pen or as a spot starter. He has heart and wants to win. Give a one or two year contract and get Rendon!
Please no. He wasted a roster spot in the NLDS and is taking someone’s spot in the regular season. Because of him game 4 was a bullpen game. Thanks but time to move on, he’s done.
Dick mountain?
I say move on from Dick Mountain ( That name alone warrants moving on) as he is simply not reliable unless u can get him super cheap to use out of the pen with occasional spot starts…he simply can’t stay healthy but he fits Dodgers description as they like them injury prone like Seager, Ryu, Turner, Verdugo and Freese.