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Red Sox Predictions: Catcher Blake Swihart Will Be Traded For A No. 2 Starter

By Samantha Riley

Aug 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) singles in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Red Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) singles in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Red Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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LHP Rich Hill – Oakland Athletics

May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) throws to Houston Astros in the third inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) throws to Houston Astros in the third inning of their MLB baseball game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Could there be a reunion between Rich Hill and the Boston Red Sox? Hill had four amazing starts for the Sox late in the 2015 season, but then signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics during the offseason. Besides a shaky Opening Day start this year, Hill has been lights out for the A’s. He currently has a 2.39 ERA with a 4-3 record and is best starter in the Athletics’ rotation.

Oakland once again went through rebuild this past offseason, but their team still seems to be struggling and they are currently on a four game losing streak. If the A’s cannot find their footing come July, they may have a fire sale. This would allow the Red Sox to trade for Hill.

Besides Stephen Vogt and Josh Phegley, the Athletics do not have that much catching depth in their farm system. They may want that extra catcher in Triple-A just in case either of the big league catchers goes down with an injury. However, the Sox would likely have to make this deal pretty sweet for Oakland because the A’s starting rotation is also struggling, thus making it unlikely that they would be willing to give up one of their better starters.

Hill will be a free agent at the end of the 2016 season, but the BoSox have offered him a contract in the past and could do it again should he end up in Boston in July. So, Hill could be either be a quick fix for the second half of 2016 or potentially a long term solution for the rotation. Even though Boston would prefer to acquire Oakland’s ace Sonny Gray, Hill could be a good pickup for the Sox should he continue to pitch well.

Next: The Cheaper Deal

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