Dodgers Rumors: Three Players that will Regress in 2017

Rich Hill

I really, really, want to believe in Rich Hill and I honestly do hope that he can continue that magic from last season. His work in the NLCS was nothing short of masterful and gave all fans a feel-good story. However, I do think that signing Rich Hill to that lucrative of a contract was a bit absurd and we will see it in his play next season.

I do not want to see Hill fail, I really don’t. As a Dodger fan, of course, I want to see each and every player to play to their full potential. We may get one decent year, at best, out of Hill, but I see him regressing the most of the bunch.

First of all, Rich Hill definitely as age as his biggest opponent next season. Turning 37 just a few weeks ago, Hill is coming in as the oldest Dodger in the rotation.

The thing that makes this so alarming is Rich Hill’s rich injury history. We all know about it, the Dodgers front office knows about, and yet they put enough faith in him to sign a three-year, $48 million deal.

Yes, Hill did make 20 starts last season and seemed to reinvent himself with his unorthodox changing of arm angles. However, he constantly battled blisters from throwing so many curveballs and has already shown to be a roller coaster of production this spring.

The fact of the matter is the Dodgers are paying Hill a starting pitcher’s salary when quite frankly he is more of a bullpen arm. I would not be surprised to see him take a similar route to Scott Kazmir, by next season likely being out of the rotation. Granted, before 2016, he had only made 22 starts in ten seasons.