Major League Baseball

Upton can block trades to four teams

Published Jul. 16, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to four teams, major league sources told FOXSports.com: the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.

It’s not known whether Upton would use the no-trade clause to block deals to those clubs. Often, players include high-revenue teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs in no-trade protection, thinking that those organizations are better positioned to offer financial inducements in an effort to convince the player to waive the clause.

Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers has said publicly that he’s willing to listen to offers for Upton, the talented 24-year-old who finished fourth in National League MVP balloting last year but has been booed at home this year.

Upton went 0 for 10 during a weekend series against the Cubs and is hitting .254 with no home runs in his past 17 games. Upton is under contract through 2015, so there’s no urgency for the Diamondbacks to trade him.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been viewed as one of Upton’s most serious suitors, but the clubs don’t have an obvious trade match. The Diamondbacks would like a long-term shortstop or third baseman, and the Pirates don’t have a player to match that need.
 

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