Nov. 7, 2012
FOXSports.com's baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, reporting from the General Managers meetings in California, includes the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers as possible suitors for D-backs outfielder Justin Upton.
Rosenthal writes:
"Several rival executives view the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays as
the teams most interested in Upton, but the Rays would need free-agent
center fielder B.J. Upton to reject their qualifying offer before they
make any move — they could not afford the salaries of both Uptons. B.J.,
though, is attracting strong interest, and almost certainly will reject
the Rays’ offer by Friday’s deadline.
"One executive suggests the
Detroit Tigers as a possible darkhorse for Justin Upton. The
Diamondbacks want a shortstop or a third baseman, and the Tigers could
offer third-base prospect Nick Castellanos and a combination of other
players, including right fielder Avisail Garcia and pitchers Rick
Porcello and Drew Smyly.
"I am not suggesting that the Tigers
would trade any or all of those players for Justin Upton; it’s just one
exec’s speculation. But the Tigers at least have the players to make
such a deal happen, and Dave Dombrowski is one of the game’s boldest,
most aggressive GMs."
Rosenthal reports that that Yankees and Braves are not expected to be in on the action. He quotes Joel Sherman of the New York Post as saying the Yankees don't have the parts the Diamondbacks are looking to acquire.
The D-backs have consistently sent inconsistent signals regarding Upton's availability. But we can all agree with this: Kevin Towers is not afraid to take bold steps, or let the world know about it.
It's an interesting approach. Many would argue that if he's serious about boosting Upton's trade value that it's best to declare him close to untouchable; on the other hand, maybe floating his availability entices a bidding war among GMs looking to make a splash.
On the surface, many believe the D-backs sold low on former cornerstones Chris Young and Stephen Drew, both of whom were widely known to be on the block, but the proof will show up in next year's standings.
-- FOXSportsArizona.com
