Rumor update: Upton, Drew, Roberts et al

Published Jul. 17, 2012 12:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Diamondbacks seeming inability to determine whether they're going to
get back into the NL West race or fall hopelessly behind has
complicated their position relative to the upcoming trade deadline. But
it hasn't quieted the rumor circuit.

Regarding Justin
Upton, FOXSports.com's Ken
Rosenthal speculates that the Blue Jays are
interested -- saying that he fits their pattern of acquiring "distressed
assets" a la Yunel Escobar and Colby Rasmus. Rosenthal doesn't suggest
who might be part of a return package ... although Escobar is now
blocking one of their top minor league prospects: shortstop Adeiny
Hechavarria.

The surprising Pirates, with a rare
window of opportunity in the NL Central, continue to be mentioned
prominently as a suitor for Upton's services, but all indications are
that they are not a good match. Rosenthal's colleague, Jon Paul Morosi,
points out that the Pirates
appear unwilling to include their top prospects,
which they have a habit of overrating.

And let's not
forget that Kevin Towers is on the record as saying the Diamondbacks are
in "win" mode -- countering the notion that prospects would be enough
to extract Upton.

Morosi, who lives in Detroit, says
the Tigers have also been snooping around the D-backs' shelves, but not
necessarily for Upton. He writes that Stephen
Drew and/or Ryan Roberts could be useful additions
in Motown. He mentions Jhonny Peralta as a possible trade chip for the
Tigers, a move that could make some sense for the Diamondbacks
regardless of whether they remain in the race. Morosi also told FOX Sports
Detroit that the Tigers could be interested in Aaron
Hill and/or Willie Bloomquist because of their desire to upgrade at
second base.