Per USA Today ..... Justin Upton Being Discussed in Trade Talks!

[Diamondback Jay]

Sorry but I think unless Arizona strikes gold, Upton is a keeper.

 

[Nasser22]

What would I be kidding about? Obviously hasn't what? Do your homework before asserting things, his numbers already compare favorably to all time greats. I am still somewhat skeptical about Justin, but unless they get a king's ransom for him, there is no point in moving him.

His numbers this season compared with big brother bust Upton.

Jay, I agree and I believe Towers does as well. I believe in an article a week ago he mentioned that no one is sage, but a trade will only come if a team offers us an exceptional deal...

 

[The Commish]

No, but I think his point was that Upton's the type of player you build a roster around. He's no Pujols, but 23 year old All-Star caliber players (with 60 homers in three seasons) don't exactly grow on trees.

Wasn't arguing his talent or that we should give him away. I just think people need to realize that Upton hasn't proven himself yet. He's still young and has all the potential in the world, but sometimes potential is just a four letter word. Unfortunately some people seem to think it's a given and birthright for him to be on his way to Cooperstown.

It's not a knock against Upton - I don't know his work habits but by all accounts he's a good kid. But let's just keep some perspective here.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Wasn't arguing his talent or the fact that we should give him away. I just think people need to realize that Upton hasn't proven himself yet. He's still young and has all the potential in the world, but sometimes potential is just a four letter word. Unfortunately some people seem to think it's a given and birthright for him to be in on his way to Cooperstown.

It's not a knock against Upton - I don't know what his work habits are like and by all accounts he is a good kid. But let's just keep some perspective here.

Agreed... and IMHO, at this stage, I would be very pleasantly surprised if he were to take his game to higher levels. His strikeout issue is a big deal and must be overcome in order for him to make the type of strides many here believe he can make. Referencing him in HOF context is seriously whacked.
At this moment, he's a career .272 hitter with a career OBP of .352. His high for HR's is 26 and RBI's is a whopping 86 (in a year when he had nearly 600 at-bats). In my opinion, those are extremely pedestrian numbers, even for a young "budding" star. Meanwhile, his strikeout totals have climbed each year he's been in the league, starting out at a montrous 121 in only 417 at-bats (108 games played), to last season when he K'd an incredible 152 times in 571 at-bats (133 games played)!
I just wonder if the kid has it together between his ears in a way that will give him the ability to make the leap to the next level... hope so.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Wasn't arguing his talent or that we should give him away. I just think people need to realize that Upton hasn't proven himself yet. He's still young and has all the potential in the world, but sometimes potential is just a four letter word. Unfortunately some people seem to think it's a given and birthright for him to be on his way to Cooperstown.

It's not a knock against Upton - I don't know his work habits but by all accounts he's a good kid. But let's just keep some perspective here.

I understand what your saying Commish, and I agree with you that he's got a long way to go yet before we start polishing his plaque for Cooperstown.

However, I think we both can agree, for his age and the amount of time he's been in the majors, he' done fairly well for himself.

 

[overseascardfan]

At least the published rumors are dying down. Instead of all this trade crap why not look at low priced FA's. Knowing ARZ is not going to spend over $5M IMO on any FA these guys should be within the budget:

LF:
Xavier Nady
Brad Hawpe
Jeremy Hermida
Austin Kearns
Jeff Francoeur

1B:
Eric Hinske
Garrett Atkins
Casey Kotchman
Nick Johnson

3B
Jorge Cantu
Ty Wigginton
Hank Blalock

SP
Scott Olsen
Jeff Francis
Brandon McCarthy
Zach Duke
Rich Harden


RP
Manny Corpas
JJ Putz
Will Ohman
Kerry Wood
Brian Fuentes

 

[The Commish]

I understand what your saying Commish, and I agree with you that he's got a long way to go yet before we start polishing his plaque for Cooperstown.

However, I think we both can agree, for his age and the amount of time he's been in the majors, he' done fairly well for himself.

Agreed

 

[Diamondback Jay]

At least the published rumors are dying down. Instead of all this trade crap why not look at low priced FA's. Knowing ARZ is not going to spend over $5M IMO on any FA these guys should be within the budget:

LF:
Jeremy Hermida
Jeff Francoeur

.... play RF bud. Wouldn't mind either, but Frenchy and Hermida are better suited for Right.

 

[overseascardfan]

At least the published rumors are dying down. Instead of all this trade crap why not look at low priced FA's. Knowing ARZ is not going to spend over $5M IMO on any FA these guys should be within the budget:



.... play RF bud. Wouldn't mind either, but Frenchy and Hermida are better suited for Right.

I know but is it an easy transition going from RF to LF? I just figured their bat production would be a welcome addition. Or maybe ARZ could shift Upton to LF and replaces him with one of the guys in RF.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I know but is it an easy transition going from RF to LF? I just figured their bat production would be a welcome addition. Or maybe ARZ could shift Upton to LF and replaces him with one of the guys in RF.

It is, but then you take their defensive strengths away from them.

 

[overseascardfan]

It is, but then you take their defensive strengths away from them.

Well in that case maybe shifting Upton over to LF would be a better move if you sign one of them. Its funny, the first wave of rumors had ARZ wanting 4 to 5 guys with a couple of can't miss guys with some young major leaguers but now you hear deals like BOS offering Ellsbury & prospects because they are reluctant to deal Bard. It sounds like ARZ is being low balled, Towers needs to close up shop on trade talks. Why would we want Ellsbury when we have a similar guy in Parra?

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Well in that case maybe shifting Upton over to LF would be a better move if you sign one of them.

Problem though is, Upton's defensive skill set is better suited for RF also.

Its funny, the first wave of rumors had ARZ wanting 4 to 5 guys with a couple of can't miss guys with some young major leaguers but now you hear deals like BOS offering Ellsbury & prospects because they are reluctant to deal Bard. It sounds like ARZ is being low balled, Towers needs to close up shop on trade talks. Why would we want Ellsbury when we have a similar guy in Parra?

Ellsbury has proven he can at least hit adequately on the Major League level, and has blazing speed on the basepaths.

Getting him would be as close to a "sure fire" bet as we're probably going to see Arizona get for Upton.

As for "lowball" offers, when it comes to the anatomy of trade talks reality is the team with the "commodity" is always try to sell high, while the teams trying to acquire him will do everything they can at first to buy low. Ultimately, they wind up meeting in the middle.

Trust me, Towers will hang on to Upton unless he gets a trade offer where he'd be a consumate fool to turn down.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

heh - jeremy hermeida - bat potential .................. not much of a fielder either

i was so hopeful about that guy as well..................

 

[Matt L]

If the price is right, I would take a flier on Rich Harden.