Aaron Hill and Martin Prado to the Blue Jays?

Jun 29, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Martin Prado (14) reacts after striking out to end the top of the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks have already began the selling season sending reliever Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana to the Angels for prospects, but that doesn’t mean this team is done trading away pieces. The team is expected to save 2 million dollars from the Thatcher deal, and the Snakes want to shred some more of their record setting payroll. Veterans Brandon McCarthy, Aaron Hill, and Martin Prado could all be traded among others before the Deadline. The Dbacks might not be rebuilding but they are retooling for next year, banking on health to help them compete in 2015.

The rumors are starting to pick up on the Prado and Hill front and the one team that keeps getting mentioned is the Toronto Blue Jays who are looking for pieces to add for the stretch run. The Blue Jays are the surprising A.L East leaders and are looking to keep it that way. G.M Alex Anthopoulos is looking for a second basemen, and a third basemen to fill voids there. At third, Brett Lawrie is on the D.L and the Jays dont know how long he will be out, and they are not getting much production at that position.

Hill is a very productive player with alot of salary and the Dbacks wouldn’t mind moving him. After a silver slugger season in 2011, he has dealt with injuries and under performance the last two years, and 2014 is much of the same. Arizona is starting to see a trend and that means its time for the two sides to move on. Plus moving Hill gives Arizona the chance to start Didi Gregorius at second, and Chris Owings at shortstop. I think the Dbacks could net some valuable prospects in a deal for Hill. Hill would return to Toronto where he was before he went to Arizona.

In terms of Prado, the Blue Jays have been scouting him heavily and with Brett Lawrie on the D.L he would be a nice veteran piece to add. Once again its another chance for the Dbacks to add some prospects and shred some salary of a veteran player that has been struggling this season. Arizona has previously indicated that they would like to keep Prado, because they are not in full rebuild mode, but things change.

One thing is almost for sure is that Arizona is unlikely to trade both because they are again not in full rebuild mode according to General Manager Kevin Towers. I think the guy that is more likely to get traded is Prado because the Dbacks can get more for him. The Blue Jays appear to prefer Prado because of his positional flexibility. He can play 3B, 2B, LF, SS, 1B and once Lawrie comes back he will still be a big part of there plans.

The Diamondbacks still could look to move Hill, but your more likely to see Prado going to the Jays then Hill.