A contract extension with the A's might be as much a possibility for Rich Hill as a trade out of Oakland.
General manager David Forst referred to that possibility in an interview with CSN California on Thursday, and on Sunday, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the A's are considering an extension for Hill while at the same time still discussing trades with interested teams.
[REWIND: Waiting game begins for A's leading up to trade deadline]
“The deadline is Monday, and no matter what happens with Rich, there has been interest,” Forst said on Thursday. “We’ve had conversations. We’re not just gonna give him away because he’s a potential free agent next year. … And who's to say we’re not interesting in keeping Rich beyond this year?”
Hill has been excellent for the A's when healthy, posting a 9-3 record and 2.25 ERA. But he's missed time this season with both a groin injury and a blister issue that he's currently on the DL for. When on the mound, he's proven to be one of the AL's top starters in 2016. But Hill will also pitch next year at age 37, and that's a potential risk for Oakland as it pertains to a multi-year deal.
