Report: D-backs ‘trying to trade Aaron Hill’
Jan 25, 2016, 8:35 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill hits a two run double against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg during the seventh inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that the Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to trade second baseman Aaron Hill.
D-backs trying to trade aaron hill, but in market stocked with better (kendrick, desmond, Rollins, etc) — very tall task
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 24, 2016
As Heyman notes, it’s a tough move for the D-backs to make.
how difficult will trading aaron hill be? well he's averaged a -0.5 war the last 2 years and has 1 year at $12M to go
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2016
The appeal for the D-backs to trade Hill goes along with another Heyman note on the market at second base.
Former Los Angeles Dodger Howie Kendrick has to be near the top of D-backs fans’ wish list and media members agree.
The #Dbacks are active in trade talks trying to move a 2B, which could clear room to sign FA Howie Kendrick
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2016
as of today, angels, dodgers, dbacks still make most sense for howie kendrick, a really fine 2B
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 20, 2016
According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the D-backs are not sure about giving up the necessary pick in order to bring in Kendrick.
Sources: #DBacks still reluctant to give up second pick (currently No. 39) for Howie Kendrick. Believe Owings will bounce back offensively.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 21, 2016
Giving up a draft pick for Kendrick would be similar to the moves made this offseason for Shelby Miller and Zack Greinke. Both were seen as “win now” moves and if the D-backs want to continue down that road, signing Kendrick would fit.
Despite Kendrick still being on the market, he’s no slouch. Kendrick has been one of the most consistent offensive second basemen since he entered the majors in 2007. He’s a lifetime .293 hitter and hit nine home runs and 54 RBI in 117 games for the Dodgers in 2014.
While D-backs second baseman Chris Owings does have his benefits defensively, the 24-year-old hit only ,224 last season with four home runs and 43 RBI in 147 games.
Hill took a backseat to Owings in 2014 and hitting .230 in his 116 games did not give the D-backs much of a reason to give Hill more time at second base.
The three-year contract extension Hill is currently on was a product of his stellar first full season in 2012 after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .302 with 26 home runs and 85 RBI that season and was extended in February of 2013. His 26 home runs in 2012 are still the most hit by a second baseman in a National League season since Dan Uggla’s 36 in 2011.
