Comments on: The Phillies are seen as a favorites for B.J. Upton

By: scatterbrian

scatterbrian — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 21:21:54 +0000

You’re kidding, right? Dude’s 20 years old. His ability to play a great CF will last longer than a Bourn contract.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 21:01:45 +0000

I suspect “baseball officials” see the Nats as front-runner because he would fill two slots (defensive CF, leadoff hitter). They may or may not have a clue whether Mike Rizzo will make a big push to sign Bourn (or Upton). Though Rizzo should have the payroll space to give someone like Bourn a lot of money.

For a kid with very little experience at the position, Young Mr. Harper did a nice job in CF. However, in the long term, he’s a corner OF. Jayson Werth did an excellent job as leadoff hitter last season, but his power should return somewhat next season (with more healing of his wrist), and they might want to move him back down in the lineup.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:40:58 +0000

The Yankees can never be the “Mystery Team.”

By: buddaley

buddaley — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:04:30 +0000

He has only “earned” a pretty bad reputation among the gullible who read or listen to misinformed and irresponsible radio talk shows and fanposts. Real GMs know that Upton is a very intense dedicated player, an exceptionally hard worker and very popular in the clubhouse.

There were some incidents-dramatically exaggerated-early in his career to which, even then he responded maturely and responsibly. And in at least one case, the stories about his response were perversely the reverse of what he really said. In recent years, there have been no recurrences, and even in his public utterances one can tell he has grown into a leader and admired figure on the team.

By: illadelphiasphinest

illadelphiasphinest — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:55:15 +0000

This is the wrong Upton brother. We want Justin!!!!
Altough I wouldn’t put it past RAJ to sign BJ and trade for Justin. After all this is the city of brotherly love. The Flyers united the Schenn brothers why not unite the Upton’s? Would be pretty cool to see, n who knows maybe they push eachother to be better players n they both finally unlock that world of potential they both have.

By: xmatt0926x

xmatt0926x — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:13:18 +0000

Blahh…….. None of the centerfield free agents excites me. I still think bringing back Victorino for a one year contract to reestablish his value would be the best bet. Bourne and Upton are going to get money that they just don’t deserve and for way too many years. Don’t get me wrong. I understand that any big name free agent will always get too many years and be a liability for the last couple years of a contract, but at least you know you will usually get some great seasons in the beginning. I just don’t get why people love Upton. I don’t see him as an underachiever at all. I think he is exactly what he has shown for several seasons now. It’s not like he’s had 2 or 3 great years and has fallen off for some unknown reason. I like Bourn but his talent lies in his speed and he will be into his 30′s with this next contract. Those legs are going to slow down in the next few years. Bring Vic back for a year and trade some of the catching and pitching prospects for the OTHER Upton.

By: Jeremy Fox

Jeremy Fox — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:30:24 +0000

Sabrmetric Phillies bloggers have been rooting for the Phillies to go after Upton, arguing that he’s almost as good as Bourn, younger, and likely to come a lot cheaper. I’m not sure about the “a lot cheaper” part, at least not since it’s Amaro doing the bidding. If history is any guide, Amaro might decide to blow Upton away with a huge offer before the market has a chance to firm up.

By: ame123

ame123 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:27:21 +0000

hot Upton and B.J. The mind just can’t help by wander.

By: ame123

ame123 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:26:11 +0000

Harper isnt a center fielder. He will only get slower as his body matures.

By: scatterbrian

scatterbrian — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:36:48 +0000

You’re missing the point. In terms of positional value, Harper in CF is much more valuable than Harper in LF.

By: ryanrockzzz

ryanrockzzz — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:24:36 +0000

Glad to see the Phillies are interested in B.J. Although he’s not a great player, I feel he is the best option in CF available in free agency. He’s relatively young, has playoff and World Series experience, and seems to play well in September. Whoever gets Bourn is going to get a player who will be effective for the first few years of his monster deal, but probably will be more of a liability for the length of the contract.

Now…if the Phils can only pry away that other Upton to play RF, and possibly get that hot Upton to be the ballgirl, I think we might have something here…

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:24:01 +0000

A rival executive, who wishes to remain nameless, has passed on information that they see the Cubs spending a bit of coin on a bat this winter.

By: ame123

ame123 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:03:08 +0000

Yeah, Bryce Harper in LF is like totally a replacement player.

By: scatterbrian

scatterbrian — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:59:00 +0000

“Baseball officials still see the Nationals as the favorites for Bourn…”

Don’t the Nationals already have a pretty good CF? Moving either to LF would kill their values.

By: randygnyc

randygnyc — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:54:10 +0000

I’m pretty sure the Yankees pass on upton. Besides his history of underachieving, he’s earned a pretty bad reputation for his poor attitude. Yankees don’t need it. Pursue ichiro for 2013. Gardner, Granderson and ichiro with defense and speed will make up for the loss of swisher’s power.

By: jagsfan11

jagsfan11 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:41:42 +0000

I really want Upton back. Tampa will miss you BJ.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:58:23 +0000

My unnamed source, still likes The Yankees.

By: jehzsa

jehzsa — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:56:02 +0000

BJ Upton is in the best shape of his life. Has been for the last…what…four and a half years? OK…three and a half. No…wait…two and a half! OK…OK…last month he was doing sprints.

Go Rays!

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:42:57 +0000

My ‘person with knowledge of the situation’ disagrees with your ‘reliable sources’ with regards to him being fancied by the Yankees and not the Phillies.

By: ame123

ame123 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:35:41 +0000

Hate giving up a pick. I’d rather Ruben try to fill the holes with guys that arent offered qualifying offers like Pagan. But if he does have to get a big name, I’d rather it be Upton than Bourn. Bourn is the next Chone Figgins.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:29:34 +0000

My totally unreliable sources say that The Yankees are the “Mystery Team.

By: psuravens19

psuravens19 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:10:33 +0000

Phillies are the favorite until that “Mystery Team” comes along… oh who will it be this year, it’s all just so exciting.

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:08:33 +0000

Whoever signs Upton should not be expecting monster seasons offensively. It’s now been 4 years since his shoulder injury. In that time his HRs have gone up but his BA and OBP have been pretty consistent. He’ll go on HR tears at times like at the end of this season, but overall he is what he is. What he is happens to be a rangy outfielder who will put up a .240/.300-.325/.400-.450 line.

By: js20011041

js20011041 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:08:17 +0000

If the Phillies are going all out to win a championship, why even worry about the age of Bourn or Upton? Look at the ages of the core of this roster. Lee: 33, Halladay: 35, Hamels: 28, Howard: 32, Utley: 33, Rollins: 33, Ruiz: 33. Once these guys are gone or no longer effective, the window is closed. Personally, I think they should rebuild but if they’re going to go after a championship, go after it. Don’t worry about the future. Bourn is the better player. Per fangraphs, Bourn rated plus 22 runs defensively while Upton rated negative 2 runs defensively. Upton also had a sub .300 OBP compared to Bourn’s .348.

By: jrillah10

jrillah10 — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:06:38 +0000

So long BJ. A big part of me was hoping you would return to Tampa. Good luck and cash in on what you deserve.

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:02:24 +0000

Is the title some sort of lewd thing I don’t know about? Or is it missing a ‘for’ ?