Blue Jays Trading Aaron Hill?

[LittleOzzy]

It's possible that Aaron Hill could be trade bait for the Blue Jays this winter and heading into the 2011 season.

Hill, injury prone the past few years, can become a free agent after next season as he has three club options at the end of his contract.

He'll make just $5 million in '11, but the options are for $8 million, $8 million and $10 million.

Hill could be a reserve plan for a club in need of a second or third baseman, such as the Cardinals, Angels and Giants.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... aron_hill/

[G-Mac]

Interesting tidbit, saw that last night. At that time I could not find any other news sources backing the story, and was curious where the info came from because of that. Have not since checked again for updates, Christmas seems to get in the way of the Blue Jays.

[evilRyu]

Given the way AA has handled things since being a GM, I am not surprised one bit. We're banking on a team that will take a chance that he will regain his old form (or close to it). I wonder if AA is looking for prospects, or major-league talent..

[augustine]

When AA traded Marcum for Lawrie he made a comment about trying to get his players around the same age level. This brings up interesting questions about Hill, and probably most obviously, Bautista.

[DonYon]

It would make sense if someone other than lawrie (hech or ahrens) starting playing like elite level prospects all of a sudden and we needed to clear the way for them, but other than that there's just no reason unless you're getting a dime for a nickel. I'm content on keeping Hill for the duration of his current contract, there's a lot to like about him as a player.

[Hoopstarr]

It would make sense if someone other than lawrie (hech or ahrens) starting playing like elite level prospects all of a sudden and we needed to clear the way for them, but other than that there's just no reason unless you're getting a dime for a nickel. I'm content on keeping Hill for the duration of his current contract, there's a lot to like about him as a player.

Yes. He's a great fielder and it would be dumb to trade him at his lowest value.

[flatjacket1]

There is no way this rumor it trues, it goes against everything AA does and believes in. (Buy low sell high)

If an opportunity came up where we could flip Hill for three MLB ready A prospects he would, but I doubt hes actively shopping with the intention of trading.

Seeing what AA is like I'm willing to bet hes penciling in Hill for a year similar to 08/9.

[darth_federer]

No need to do it this year. He can play well this year, raise this value and then we can trade him.

If he tanks then the Jays dont have to pick up his options for the next 3 years. I think they only need to pick up his option for one year.

[Nolan]

If he turns things around and starts playing like he can I can see us shopping him. But not right now when his value is so low.

[wlujaysfan55]

I think AA will take the wait & see approach with AH.

Worst case scenario, Jays tank & AH has terrible years moving forward at which point may pull a Rios like transaction.

If the jays are competing, he may choose to keep AH around. Or the jays are average, he hits/fields near his potential & he has decent trade value - very likely a playoff type team will want Hill's attributes on their ballclub.

[Relentless88]

I think Hill will get traded but as others mentioned, AA knows better than to deal while his value is low.

[Michael Bradley]

Hill turns 29 by the start of the 2011 season, and will be 30-32 for the remainder of his contract if his options are picked up. This is a player who has had two sub-.700 OPS seasons in the last three years, with an all-star year sandwiched in between. I don't think anyone knows what to reasonably expect from him moving forward, especially as he heads into his 30's and his defense begins to erode.

Trading him now will be selling way low. However, by the trade deadline, things could change. If he is putting up an .800 OPS season, then he'll be enticing to any team that trades for him due to the option years. Wait and see, and I fully expect AA to do that.

[SCF99]

Why? you would be selling probably at his lowest value, we are weak at the infield spots, and if we keep him around and he returns to or close to his previous level than he is what we need. AA should think of it as he is has got someone who is going to only get better which is what he seems to like to trade for.

[CapeCrusader]

I like Hill, personally I don't think we can build a true a contender with just a pure young team. We need some vets on our team. I don't really consider Hill a vet yet, but regardless i think it would be a mistake to move him. I mean if we found a good second basemen, then moving Hill to 3rd should be the option if anything.

[wlujaysfan55]

I like Hill, personally I don't think we can build a true a contender with just a pure young team. We need some vets on our team. I don't really consider Hill a vet yet, but regardless i think it would be a mistake to move him. I mean if we found a good second basemen, then moving Hill to 3rd should be the option if anything.

He is one of those character guys you love to have on your team but his salary during the option years are very likely too high for what AA is trying to do.

[SargentBargs101]

steve phillips suggested that we should trade hill for howie kendrick....

[DonYon]

steve phillips suggested that we should trade hill for howie kendrick....

what a pointless trade that would be

[satyr9]

Well, I'm all for shopping Hill at any time (along with just about anybody), but I agree with the general sentiment that it's unlikely they'll receive acceptable offers because of his most recent season. I doubt there's any need on AA's part to deal him this season, but the way the building is going it makes perfect sense to at least put some feelers out there and find out if someone's interested enough to pay proper value.

Can the Jays go year-to-year with his options or do they pick them all up at once? I love that deal if it's year-to-year options. He'll need a better than last year season to get it picked up, but I still love that you have the potential of a 3 year deal you can continually escape from if he doesn't perform. IMO all years in deals over 3 years in any sport should be mandatory team options. Of course you'd never get the PA's to agree, but there is simply nothing more demoralizing to small and mid-market franchises than cornerstone contracts (although even the Yogi Stewart deals of this type can be almost as unappetizing as the VWells ones) given out for 5-6 years that become obvious mistakes in the first 1-2 and leave up to a half a decade hangover.

/digression

[Avenger]

“By Opening Day 2011 -- Hill's final year before possibly becoming eligible for free agency -- the Blue Jays must decide whether they want to pick up a three-year option worth $26 million,” explained the BlueJays.com report from the day that Hill (and some guy named Rios—but who gives a fock about him?) signed.

“Should Toronto decide against giving Hill an additional three seasons under his new contract, the club has until 10 days following the 2011 World Series to go one of three routes. At that point, the Jays could either decline to renew Hill's contract or elect to exercise a one-year option worth $8 million or a two-year option worth $16 million.”

that's the structure of his contract. If Alex picks up the options by opening day 2011, Hill will be under contract until 2014 for a total of 31 million(5 mil in 2011 and 26 million combined for 2012-2014). Even if they don't exercise the options by opening day, they still have plenty of flexibility, the most they lose is one year of control in 2014 where he'll be making 10 million.

[OldNo7]

steve phillips suggested that we should trade hill for howie kendrick....

I suggest Steve Phillips not cheat on his wife. My idea sounds more logical than his.