It was reported late Monday night that the Blue Jays appeared to have overtaken the Baltimore Orioles and become front runners to land the 31-year-old.
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The extra year of control is a key part of the trade for the Blue Jays, who now only have one of their starting outfielders (Kevin Pillar) under contract for next season. Upton is batting.256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and was leading the team with 20 stolen bases. While Upton is still a good outfielder, the Padres have been trying to trade Upton because they want to open a spot for one of their impressive young outfielders. Saunders has struggled against left-handed starters (.763 OPS against them) but Upton has a.959 OPS against left-handed starters.
Dickerson’s blast gave the Padres a home run in 24 straight games, the longest streak since 2002, when the Rangers hit a home run in a record 27 straight games.
Padres: Class-A RHP Chris Paddack, acquired from Miami in last month’s trade for Fernando Rodney, has been sidelined indefinitely with a strained forearm.
Up until last season, Upton was known as B.J., which stood for “Bossman Junior”. Expect them to orchestrate at least one more trade in the week before the August 1 non-waiver deadline passes.
“I’m definitely in a different place mentally”, he said.
It’ll be well worth watching, too, as the Blue Jays reportedly have their eyes on one of Upton’s former teammates. However, while just three games back of the first-place Baltimore Orioles, Toronto now owns the second wild card spot in the AL. The Blue Jays would love to fit him in along with Michael Saunders, Jose Bautista, Kevin Pillar and Ezequiel Carrera. Since signing, Hansel has spent 3 seasons in Bluefield, with a 4.61 ERA in 25 game, 18 starts, in total.
“We’re looking at what we’re going to do in the future”, Padres manager Andy Green said. He made his pro debut in the Blue Jays organization that season.
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Atkins will likely turn his focus to adding some pitching help with the trade deadline fast approaching.
