The Arizona Diamondbacks have declined second baseman Aaron Hill’s $8 million US contract options for 2012 and 2012, but still hope to re-sign the former Toronto Blue Jays second baseman.

The 29-year-old fared well after an Aug. 23 trade, posting a .315 batting average and .386 on-base percentage in 33 games.

That performance dwarfed his .225, .270 totals in 104 contests with Toronto earlier this season, so Hill finished with a combined .246 average, .299 OBP and .356 on-base plus slugging percentage. His OPS with Arizona was .878.

Hill’s turnaround at the plate be directed at a change of scenery?

“I do agree with what [Blue Jays bench coach] Don Wakamatsu said to me earlier in the year,” Hill said. “He said you create your own environment. It makes a lot of sense.

“You could definitely look at my situation and say a change of scenery has worked out great.

Diamondbacks first baseman Lyle Overbay, another one-time Blue Jay, opted for free agency over the weekend.