Following the Toronto Blue Jays’ reported addition of Melvin Upton Jr. this morning from the San Diego Padres for a single-A prospect, details have begun to emerge around the deal that is expected to send the former number two pick across the diamond for tonight’s game.
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And it came in the most inglorious fashion – on a wild pitch that highlighted a madcap three-run 12th inning for the Blue Jays who somehow walked away with an uncomprehending 7-6 victory over the stunned San Diego Padres.
The Padres will reportedly pay all but $5 million of the $22.5 million remaining on Upton’s contract. The Uptons are also baseball’s first siblings to both join the 20-20 club by hitting 20 homers and stealing 20 bases in a season.
Matt Kemp put the Padres in front with a two-run homer off Jesse Chavez (1-2) in the top of the 12th, but San Diego blew the lead. “Nobody really calls me B.J., except at the stadium”.
Unsure how soon Upton would return, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons left his new player out of Tuesday’s starting lineup – Upton grounded into a fielder’s choice as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. He may even get a few games batting leadoff although Bautista has helped this team immensely with his spot atop the order for unconventional reasons.
He was with the Rays until 2012 before signing a mega deal as a free-agent with the Atlanta Braves.
The 31-year-old has played the last two season with the Padres and is hitting. His brother Justin, who is three years younger, was taken first overall in 2005, making them the first brothers ever to go 1-2 in the draft, albeit in separate years.
“We’re not done in any way”, he said. Upton has been disruptive on the basepaths his entire career, as only five players have swiped more bags than him in the last 10 years.
The Blue Jays, who trail the Orioles by three games in the American League East, likely will utilize Upton to bring depth and versatility to their outfield.
“I’m proud of the guys”, he said. Storen, 28, was 1-3 with three saves and a 6.21 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 38 relief appearances with Toronto this season.
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What do you think of the Melvin Upton trade to the Toronto Blue Jays?
