Los Angeles Dodgers: Three new options to close if not Kenley Jansen

3. Rich Hill

Yes, you read that right. After I went on that little rant about being realistic on the last slide I went out and included Rich Hill as a possible closer. It might not sound likely right now, but hear me out.

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Hill is a free agent this year but we all know that he is itching to win a World Series and probably prefers the comfort of staying in Los Angeles. The only problem is that the Dodgers are already rich in starting pitching.

Right now, the Dodgers have Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Dustin May, Ross Stripling and Tony Gonsolin that are fighting for rotation spots. That is not to mention Dennis Santana, who is patiently waiting in AAA.

With the possibility of the Dodgers even going after a big name like Gerrit Cole, there simply is no room for Hill in the rotation. However, the Dodgers should be interested in bringing him back as he still is an efficient pitcher when he is healthy.

What is the perfect way to keep him healthy? Pitch him in limited roles out of the bullpen, which includes using him in the high-leverage spots and save opportunities.

Opponents hit .217 in their first plate appearance of the game against Hill in 2019 and in 2018, when he was healthy, opponents hit just .177 the first time facing him opposed to .253 the second time around.

Hill is the perfect wild-card to throw in the bullpen. Imagine having to see flamethrowers in Pedro Baez and Joe Kelly right before having to face the big looping curveball of Rich Hill.

It would be unlike any closer in baseball, and in all honesty, I think Rich Hill would thrive in that role.