Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com has reported that the Toronto Blue Jays, not the Baltimore Orioles, are the new front-runners for Melvin Upton Jr.; however, the Cleveland Indians, along with the Orioles, don’t trail by much, as they remain involved in talks for Upton as well.
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San Diego Padres’ Melvin Upton Jr., second from left, celebrates his two-run home run with Wil Myers, left, during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 8, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Upton, who is the older brother of Detroit outfielder Justin Upton, will be able to make a quick transition to his new team. Upton is making $15.45M this season and has $16.45M owed to him in 2017 to wrap up a five-year contract.
Throughout his career, Upton has been an above-average baserunner and defender while offering solid value at the plate.
The Baltimore Orioles had previously been said to be interested in him, though San Diego clearly preferred what they were offered by the Blue Jays.
Rodriguez was originally signed by Toronto as an global free agent in January 2014 out of the Dominican Republic. After two years of struggles in Atlanta, he was traded to San Diego. Upton’s contract goes through next season.
The Padres will clear some of his salary in the deal while opening up even more playing time for young outfielders Alex Dickerson and Travis Jankowski.
Over parts of three minor-league seasons with the Blue Jays, he has a 3-6 record with a 4.61 earned-run average. The 2016 version of Upton Jr. looks a lot like the player who hit 23 homers while slashing .243/.331/.429 in 2011 with the Rays – rather than the one who hit. We identified Upton as a sell-high candidate last week. He has some power, topping out at 28 home runs in 2012, his past year in Tampa Bay.
Rangers: Texas slugger Prince Fielder is expected to have season-ending neck surgery for the second time in three years, and his career could be jeopardy as well.
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Now that Upton has been traded, all eyes are now on Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner, who figures to be the next Padre traded. He brings some speed to the table with 20 stolen bases in 25 attempts to a Blue Jays offence that ranks 12th in the American League in that category.
