Juan Soto could not recruit the Yankees teammate who most bothered Queens

They may not be the greats that Splash fans have been waiting, but the New York Yankees At least I have something Made on Tuesday afternoon, signing the Zurdo Tim Hill reliever to a contract of $ 2.85 million of one year that includes a team option for the 2026 season.

Hill is not Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado, but its importance for the possibilities of the team in 2025 should not be overlooked. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox In the middle of last season, the veteran rapidly emerged as one of Aaron Boone’s most reliable options out of the bullpen, and the only reliable left -handed left -hander. He launched an effectiveness of 2.05 in 35 appearances with New York during the regular season and was even better in the playoffs, allowing only one career over 13.1 work tickets (one of the Main reasons Why Boone’s decision to let Nestor Cortes face Freddie Freeman at the end of the World Game 1 of the World Series was such a painful mistake).

Taking Hill verifies a large box on the bullpen, which desperately needed a left -handed option for Boone to call. And it does so at a more than reasonable price, especially taking into account some of the other reliever offers that have been delivered this winter. But this firm even represents a good player with a budget; It also represents a measure (very small) of revenge on the New York Metsand a possible response to the new Nemesis Juan Soto.

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Before recovering with the Yankees, Hill was courted by several other contestants, more markedly the Mets. While New York obviously went ahead this season to furtive hunting to Soto from their crossown rivals, they could not do it again, a fact that may or may not have to do with some interesting story between the two players.

Hill and Soto have a long history, one that has long been before a few months ago that passed together in stripes. They were also teammates with San Diego’s parents in 2022 and 2023, and faced the National League several times before. Hill has taken advantage of the best of those clashes so far, putting Soto in the three appearances on the plate. But it does not seem that experience has enjoyed particularly, since he He told ESPN In September.

“I remember his confusion. He dragged the ball and pissed off a little. In fact, I love the way he plays mental tricks with the pitcher because I remember working against me. He made me angry. And I was like, ‘Uugh! ‘ I wanted to get it. And then they will throw it, and he takes it out of the patio. “

Soto recognizes more or less than his extravagant style on the dish is at least in part strategic, saying that “on the dish you have to play as a chess game.” However, whatever has tried has not worked in Hill so far.