Dodgers re-sign Rich Hill to three-year, $48 million deal

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Rich Hill, who struggled for years with injuries and inconsistency, finally got his big payday at the age of 36.

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed the left-hander to a three-year, $48 million deal, the club announced on Monday.

"He's exceeded even our expectations," said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "That gave us the confidence to bet on him."

It culminates a wild rise that began in 2015, when he parlayed an excellent month of September with the Boston Red Sox into a one-year, $6 million deal with the Oakland Athletics.

Hill went 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA in six starts with the Dodgers after he was dealt by the A's in a five-player trade at the non-waiver deadline. He combined to go 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts in 2016.

Hill's resurgence in 2016 was partly do to him staying healthy. In 2009, he endured a torn labrum and in 2011 he had an elbow ligament replacement surgery.

For Hill, the $48 million contract represents an enormous windfall; in 12 seasons, he never made more than the $6 million he earned in 2016.

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"Anytime during free agency there are risks you take," said Friedman about the possible risks of signing Hill. "Again, so much of our confidence is comes from knowing him. No matter how much work you do on a guy, it's different once you get to experience it first hand."

Hill has a 38-28 career record with a 4.10 ERA in 221 games in 12 seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2005-08), Baltimore Orioles (2009), Red Sox (2010-12, ‘15), Cleveland Indians (2012), Los Angeles Angels (2014), New York Yankees (2014), A's and Dodgers.

I think it's something that has been an incredible journey to get to this point, but never did I ever think that I would pack it in," said an emotional Hill at the winter meetings. "I never thought I was done.

"With the ability that I have and the desire was always there. So being able to stay healthy and to never quit was the biggest thing."

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