Comments on: Diamondbacks “very much open again” to Justin Upton deal

By: yahmule

yahmule — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:38:26 +0000

It is when you consider what he’s going to cost and where he bats in the lineup. Most teams and fans expect more than slightly better than league average from those kinds of players. Try and view things in proper context and you’ll gain a better understanding. I guess Upton’s booed at home and constantly shopped by management because of your media narrative straw man argument, too.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:02:51 +0000

Unless the Rangers are willing to part with Olt or Profar they most likely do not have the quality of youngsters the D-backs are looking for, maybe if they include Perez and others but I doubt if that would do it. The Braves are in the best position IMHO, with a number of young arms, which have previously been coveted, but a little slow to reach potential. Seattle, maybe, but Hultzen would certainly have to be included in a package, that isn’t as glamorous as what the Braves could offer. Delgado, Terehan and possibly O’Flaherty would be attractive, and the Braves would be set for a long time, with an outfield of the Upton Bros., and Heyward, a return of Prado to second base, and a move of Uggla to third, and be talented enough to challenge Washington in the NL East.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:37:58 +0000

Like what, the fact that in his two down, injury-plagued seasons he was still nearly ten percent better than the league-average player offensively while at least remaining neutral in the field and on the basis? Because wRC+s of 109 and 108, along with fWARs of 3.0 and 2.5, during his injury-filled seasons of 2010 and 2012 would seem to be consistent empirical evidence supporting my position. Obviously he doesn’t play at his peak when he isn’t fully healthy – nobody does, despite media narratives of warrior players fighting through injury and not letting it affect them. But he still contributes at an above-average level despite not being fully healthy. That’s a positive in his column, not a negative.

By: yahmule

yahmule — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:38:35 +0000

I guess that seems true if you choose to ignore consistent empirical evidence to the contrary.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:33:12 +0000

The Diamondbacks are not surrendering the younger, less expensive and arguably better player AND giving up prospects in the deal. Cliff Lee is owed $87.5 million for the next three seasons ($102.5 million if his 2016 option is picked up/vests). Justin Upton is owed $38.5 million for the next three seasons. For Arizona to even think about sending prospects along with Upton, they’d have to not only think that Upton is less than half the player Cliff Lee is now, but also that he will continue to be less than half the player Cliff Lee is as he heads towards the peak player age while Lee descends into his late 30s. Any Cliff Lee-Justin Upton deal would have to involve Philadelphia either eating a ton of money or sending along significant other pieces, not the other way around.

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:26:51 +0000

Upton seems to have the ability to remain an above-average player, even when his health is at less than 100%. Everybody in the league should try to deal for him before Arizona realizes it.

By: phillyphan77

phillyphan77 — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:15:44 +0000

In a Lee-Upton trade, the diamondbacks would have to send us at least 1 or 2 prospects also. Otherwise, there is no way you make that deal.

By: chacochicken

chacochicken — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:42:07 +0000

The problem with actually trading Upton means that none of the other GMs will have any reason to talk to Kevin Towers at all. Its really kind of sad, Kevin they should like you for you not your trade bait.

By: joeeversole

joeeversole — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:57:43 +0000

The Braves have lots of prospects including young pitchers and infielders. Trade for him and I think he and BJ playing together will lift both of their games.

By: oprk

oprk — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:31:30 +0000

Heyman reported back in November that Upton added Seattle to his no-trade list making the Mariners/Blue Jays and two other teams on it if I remember right. It’s common for a player to add highly interested clubs to their list in order to get a bonus to waive their clause. Upton knows of the Mariners interest and could want leverage in a possible deal. Or, he really has no interest in playing for Seattle, but it sounds as if they weren’t originally on his list until they showed interest.

By: 13arod

13arod — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:24:55 +0000

tampa can get him they have one of the best minor league system out there an if they get another big bat or 2 then they will win the divsion for sure

By: 13arod

13arod — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:21:20 +0000

they should just trade parra he is only good on defense and with ross upton and kubal in the outfield they will be contenders

By: lyajoe

lyajoe — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:20:13 +0000

Rumor in Philly has that Upton has limited no trade clause and Marinersare on it . Also that Cliff Lee would have to be part of package . I don’t know if RAJ can pull that rabbit out of his hat but he has seemed to have a few rabbits hidden away in the past.

By: oprk

oprk — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:19:57 +0000

I hope Upton lets the front office know he’s changing his offseason workout routine to something they disagree with so that a few B level prospects will become the new asking price.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:07:49 +0000

I’m thinking with the help from Jobu, ruby slippers, and rum (for Jobu of course) lots of pitching. I’m not sure Philly has the depth to spare, but I’d say pitching is where they are deepest and they always stock up on pitching every year. Of course it’s a long shot with other teams in the mix for him, but Upton isn’t soooo valuable that the Phillies couldn’t put together a competitive enough package of prospects to land him. As thebadguyswon mentioned other teams in the mix are better stocked to land him via prospects as long as they are willing to give up more than the next guy. I know Seattle values their prospects far more than Philly does and Texas probably has the best shot at it in reality. That is if they are willing to offer the best package. Who knows? Watch a mystery team land him.

By: thebadguyswon

thebadguyswon — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 02:06:08 +0000

Agreed. They’d be further ahead dangling him in June or July.

By: Sign Ahead

Sign Ahead — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:15:39 +0000

As a Diamondbacks fan, I would very much like to see the situation resolved. It feels like the last couple years of Justin Upton’s career have been one big trade rumor, and the odd cycle of “He’s our best player!” and “He’s through in Arizona,” is a little distracting.

I hope they don’t trade him during this offseason. Whether they intended to or not, the front office did a lot of damage to his trade value. Trading him now would feel like a huge, self-induced “sell low” situation. A season, or even half a season of healthy baseball and silence from the front office (or maybe even some positive front-office spin, if they can manage it) should help improve his value.

By: rockthered1286

rockthered1286 — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:59:29 +0000

If he’d JUST play LF… He’d look great in O’s orange and could take advantage of the hitter friendly park. But like the Phil’s convo above, O’s don’t have much to offer in terms of prospects NOT named Bundy or Gausman.

By: chacochicken

chacochicken — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:06:52 +0000

Towers simply needs to periodically remind himself just how much he hates the very idea of Justin Upton.

By: wpjohnson

wpjohnson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:59:35 +0000

Braves and Rangers need him.

By: tuberippin

tuberippin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:43:40 +0000

Upton already hello Mariners.

Upton then almost accidentally the entire thing.

By: thebadguyswon

thebadguyswon — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:40:46 +0000

Guys, face it. Philly doesn’t have the prospects. I get it….I like Upton too. But the Philly farm is in the bottom 10 and 5 or 6 lottery tickets for Upton won’t do it. Teams like Texas and Seattle can over close-to-ready elite prospects.

By: phillyphan77

phillyphan77 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:08:32 +0000

How much would we have to give up to get him?

By: yahmule

yahmule — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:00:02 +0000

Upton seems to lack the ability to produce when his health is at less than 100%. Arizona should deal him before everybody in the league realizes it.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:58:37 +0000

Philly Philly Philly Philly, how many times did Dorothy have to click those heels to get home from Oz again? Philly Philly Philly Philly…….. Or should I go the Jobu route on this?

By: cackalackyank

cackalackyank — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:46:09 +0000

Not going to happen because Dacks do not need an outfielder, but Curtis Granderson would look great in that sharp red color they have in Arizona.

By: jpack1974

jpack1974 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:19:06 +0000

Ranger fan here. I would love to see Texas get him. I think at 25 in a lineup that the Rangers have…..he does nothing but get better. He is a HUGE defensive upgrade to Cruz in RF (who is my favorite Ranger) and move Cruz to DH. I’m ok with sending Elvis to Dbacks. Let Profar play short. Or, send them Olt. Zona could use some help at 3B as well.

By: thebadguyswon

thebadguyswon — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:57:17 +0000

True and trading Upton would take away the endless speculation about trading Justin Upton. I’m not sure Towers can live without it.

By: jcmeyer10

jcmeyer10 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:46:57 +0000

I am guessing the Diamondbacks move Kubel before Upton because I think they have an inflated valuation of Upton and a more realistic valuation of Kubel.

By: djjackson81

djjackson81 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:38:05 +0000

Third that move Upton already hello Mariners