Jays send Hill, McDonald to Diamondbacks
Posted August 23, 2011 3:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have traded second baseman Aaron Hill and infielder John McDonald to the Arizona Diamondbacks for second baseman Kelly Johnson.
Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos announced the deal Tuesday before Toronto’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre.
The 29-year-old Johnson, long rumoured to be an Anthopoulos target, has appeared in 114 games for Arizona this season, posting a .209 average to go along with 18 home runs, 49 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
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A first-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2000, Johnson is a career .260 hitter with 89 home runs and 326 RBIs in 758 games.
All three players in the deal will be free agents in the off-season, but Anthopoulos said the deal presented a chance for Toronto to get an up-close look at Johnson.
While the Jays have acquired what could be their second baseman of the future, the trade also represents a terrific fall from grace for Hill. The 29-year-old was an all-star in 2009, blasting 36 homers and driving in 108 RBIs to go along with a .286 average.
He hit 26 home runs last season, but batted a paltry .205 and was unable to recapture his form in 2011 either, hitting .225 in 104 games with just six home runs and 45 RBIs.
In seven seasons with Toronto, Hill posted a .265 average with 96 home runs and 409 RBIs.
McDonald, meanwhile, has been a fan favourite with Blue Jays fans because of his hustle and defence.
The 36-year-old batted .250 this season in 65 games with eight doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs.
The gritty McDonald has played 13 seasons in the majors with Cleveland, Detroit and Toronto, compiling a .240 batting average in 865 games.
Both McDonald and Hill will have a chance to play in the post-season with Arizona battling for the National League West title.
The Jays also announced they have recalled catcher Brian Jeroloman from triple-A Las Vegas.
