Backup catcher Henry Blanco's time as a free agent was short-lived. The Diamondbacks and Blanco agreed to terms on a one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2013.

The deal is worth $1.2 million and the option year is worth $1.24 million.

Blanco hit .250 with eight home runs in 100 at-bats, posting a career-high .870 OPS as the backup to All-Star catcher Miguel Montero. Earlier this week, Blanco declined his end of a mutual option worth $1.15 million.

Meanwhile, Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers said he's still hopeful of working out a deal with free-agent second baseman Aaron Hill and/or utility man Willie Bloomquist.

"We had a discussion late last night and will probably talk again today," Towers said of negotiations with Hill. "We certainly have interest in bringing him back and certainly want him back. Another one of those where I'd rather do something sooner than later, and I conveyed that to the agent last night. I made what I think is a significant offer and said it's only on the table for so long."

ESPN.com reported earlier this week that the Diamondbacks value him as being worth about $4 million. The club declined an $8 million option that was a part of his previous contract.

Hill hit .315 in 124 at-bats for the Diamondbacks after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in an August trade. But he had struggled offensively last season before the trade and for most of 2010.

Towers acknowledged that, should the Diamondbacks reach a deal with Hill, there might not be a fit for Bloomquist, not after Wednesday's deal with infielder John McDonald (two years, $3 million).

"It would change things (with Bloomquist) if I'm able to bring Hill back," Towers said.

Towers sounded frustrated he hadn't heard from Bloomquist or agent Scott Boras since learning earlier this week that Bloomquist was declining his end of a mutual option for 2012.

The Diamondbacks are still hopeful of bringing first baseman Lyle Overbay back in a backup role, but Towers said Overbay wants to explore his options.

"He has interest in coming back, but he wants to see if there's maybe an opportunity with a little more playing time," Towers said. "I think the agent and Lyle know we're pretty much committed to Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt) and this is a part-time role."