Diamondbacks: Aaron Hill Had Asked for a Trade

Sep 27, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Aaron Hill (2) doubles during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

File this under not surprised. According to Nick Piecoro at azcentral, Aaron Hill had asked the Arizona Diamondbacks to explore trading him after the organization told the veteran he would be a part-time player. Considering Hill’s relatively young age (33) and the pride in every professional athlete, I don’t blame Hill for a wanting change of scenery. Given his new-found versatility in playing both second and third, I am glad the D-backs held on to him. Apparently, so does he.

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After struggling with accepting a part-time role, Hill has grown to embrace it. Furthermore, he believes that the adjustment of not playing every day combined with the uncertainty of whether or not he was going to remain in Phoenix after the trading deadline contributed to his down season. However, as Piecoro notes, Hill has hit much better since the beginning of August, with a .260 batting average and an OPS of .690. As of now, D-backs’ general manager would welcome Hill to play out the final year of his deal in Arizona:

"He’s a winning-type player. When you have that kind of attitude and that kind of leadership in your clubhouse, it’s important to have around."

As we know his contract at $12 million dollars makes Hill difficult to trade. However it seems as though the player and management would like the honeymoon to continue.