One of the worst kept secrets in MLB is the Arizona Diamondbacks' interest in trading outfielder Justin Upton. But one of the seldomly understood points is the fact that General Manager Kevin Towers wants a fortune in return. In other words, he is not so desperate to move Upton, he will settle for a package of players that would not be considered a heist. If there was any doubt over that, look at the set of players that were to head to Arizona in the deal Upton blocked with the Seattle Mariners. As has been reported several times, the Mariners were set to include middle infielder Nick Franklin, RHPs Taijuan Walker and Stephen Pryor and LHP Charlie Furbush in the deal. Regardless of the rhetoric, the Diamondbacks will not lower the price on their star OF.
I can hear the questions now: The Diamondbacks signed Cody Ross, so Upton HAS to go, right? No he does not. The Diamondbacks could trade Jason Kubel, or simply start the season with the OF of Ross, Kubel and Upton. In fact, that does not look that bad, assuming Ross plays CF, which he has before. The bottom line is they are not as desperate as many people say they are. According to reports, the team still wants Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt and Neftali Feliz in a trade with Texas. Earlier in the offseason, talks with the Mets stopped when the Diamondbacks wanted Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey in the deal. I do not see the D'Backs backing off. Upton will not be 26 until August, and is under a very reasonable contract for the next three seasons.
Lets look at this from the perspective of the Mets. Assuming Wheeler and Harvey and catcher Travis d'Arnaud are not part of this potential deal, what would the Mets have to give up to make this happen? In my opinion, to get Arizona to listen, the team would have to start with INF Wilmer Flores and pitchers Jeurys Familia and Michael Fulmer. An OF, either Matt den Dekker or Lucas Duda (if the latter could be sold as an option) and maybe one more small piece may do it. Otherwise, the D'Backs will not make a deal. Atlanta still has a better farm system than the Mets, and we know the Rangers have better pieces as well. In the end, if Upton is moved, it will be for a substantial price. If not, I can see the Diamondbacks moving on with Upton still a major part of their team.
I can hear the questions now: The Diamondbacks signed Cody Ross, so Upton HAS to go, right? No he does not. The Diamondbacks could trade Jason Kubel, or simply start the season with the OF of Ross, Kubel and Upton. In fact, that does not look that bad, assuming Ross plays CF, which he has before. The bottom line is they are not as desperate as many people say they are. According to reports, the team still wants Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt and Neftali Feliz in a trade with Texas. Earlier in the offseason, talks with the Mets stopped when the Diamondbacks wanted Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey in the deal. I do not see the D'Backs backing off. Upton will not be 26 until August, and is under a very reasonable contract for the next three seasons.
Lets look at this from the perspective of the Mets. Assuming Wheeler and Harvey and catcher Travis d'Arnaud are not part of this potential deal, what would the Mets have to give up to make this happen? In my opinion, to get Arizona to listen, the team would have to start with INF Wilmer Flores and pitchers Jeurys Familia and Michael Fulmer. An OF, either Matt den Dekker or Lucas Duda (if the latter could be sold as an option) and maybe one more small piece may do it. Otherwise, the D'Backs will not make a deal. Atlanta still has a better farm system than the Mets, and we know the Rangers have better pieces as well. In the end, if Upton is moved, it will be for a substantial price. If not, I can see the Diamondbacks moving on with Upton still a major part of their team.
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