Yankees playing waiting game with valued reliever has put them in troubling spot

How did it come to this?

Baltimore Orioles v New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles v New York Yankees | New York Yankees/GettyImages

Months ago, New York Yankees fans were wondering why what was perceived as one of the team's easiest offseason moves wasn't yet completed. They needed a lefty reliever, and one guy had filled that role nicely after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox.

Tim Hill revived himself in the Bronx during the second half of 2024 after a disastrous start with MLB's worst team, and finished with a 2.05 ERA, 3.62 FIP and 1.02 WHIP in 44 innings of work with the Yanks. He was also an integral bullpen piece in the postseason, allowing just one run in his 8 1/3 innings pitched.

Hill undoubtedly increased his value after earning $1.8 million in each of the past two seasons ... but how much higher could it have appreciated? Why wasn't this already put to bed with a two-year, ~$7 million deal? The Yankees have zero left-handers in their bullpen. Nobody else is really out there.

Whatever waiting game Cashman and the front office has been playing will now jeopardize their chances at a reunion. Recent reports have suggested (in addition to the Mets' previous interest) that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are also in the mix.

Hill now has four contenders looking to bring him aboard, which cannot help the Yankees' position, even if they were the ones to maximize his abilities after he was nearly left for dead.

Yankees Rumors: Tim Hill's free agency market expands to multiple contenders

Granted, we have no idea what's going on behind the scenes, but this is an extremely peculiar game of chicken since Hill isn't exactly a high-profile name and the Yankees can afford to pay a slightly elevated rate for a lower-end reliever (who might actually be a higher-end reliever!).

But now they'll battle with two other teams who have proven to be more reckless with their money. The Yankees left the door open for three months and other front offices are taking notice of Hill as the free agent market thins out.

The Yankees have been "pushing to sign" Hill for weeks. They have not made a move of consequence since officially signing Paul Goldschmidt on Dec. 30. We understand they are likely working to shed some more payroll in the form of a Marcus Stroman trade, but re-signing Hill should have next to no effect on that.

Unless there's a grander plan to trade for a star lefty reliever, this could turn out to be one of the biggest whiffs of the Yankees' offseason if Hill chooses another destination.

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