Diamondbacks sign Eric Hinske, look to trade Jason Kubel

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed free agent Eric Hinske for bench help and apparently are seeking to trade Jason Kubel.

By Matt Snyder

Dec 4, 2012 at 2:15 pm ET • 1 min read

After one year in Arizona, Jason Kubel is being shopped. (US Presswire)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As the Justin Upton rumors continue to swirl around the Gaylord Opryland, a few more outfielders have emerged in relation to Diamondbacks talk. First, the Diamondbacks signed free-agent outfielder Eric Hinske. It's a minor signing, though, so the real juice here is concerning Jason Kubel.

According to CBSSports.com senior writers Scott Miller and Danny Knobler, the D-Backs are looking to deal Kubel. Some even expect a trade to be completed Tuesday.

Kubel, 30, signed a two-year, $16-million contract with a club option for 2014 with Arizona last offseason. He hit .253/.327/.506 with 30 homers, 90 RBI, 75 runs and 30 doubles. As a poor defender in either outfield corner and an offensive player who basically is only valuable due to power, Kubel would be a good fit as a designated hitter -- meaning the best guess is his landing spot is in the American League.

Hinske, 35, hit .197/.272/.311 with two homers and 13 RBI in 147 plate appearances for the Braves last season. He's merely bench depth, so let's avoid thinking this signing means anything at all in regard to Kubel or Upton being traded. Most notable on the Hinske signing is that the D-Backs will be his seventh team since 2005.

For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnBaseball on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed and "like" us on Facebook.