There are reports that teams are stepping up in their chase for Arizona Diamondbacks RF Justin Upton. Though I may be proven wrong, I still think Upton will end up remaining with Arizona because of the high price tag General Manager Kevin Towers has on him. Based on what the Seattle Mariners offered, it is difficult to see either Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Texas or Baltimore parting with as much talent to get Upton. However, it seems like Jason Kubel could be moved sooner rather than later and should be targeted by the before mentioned teams. Kubel is on the second year of a two year, $16 million contract with the Diamondbacks before the 2012 season. He may be without a place to play with the Diamondbacks signing of Cody Ross and expected use of Adam Eaton in centerfield next season. Throw in Upton and Gerardo Parra and clearly Kubel could be the odd man out. Though this is pretty common knowledge, Kubel did hit 30 HR last season and should be drawing more interest than is being reported. Kubel provides a middle of the order bat and as expected, hits RHP much better than LHP. In addition to the likely candidates, here is a list of possibilities for Kubel to be moved to, as in my opinion, he is more likely to be traded than Upton.
5. Miami Marlins: The Marlins sound like a crazy spot, but remember, the Marlins still have some players who they may want to move. Perhaps a straight up trade for Ricky Nolasco could work, with the dollars possibly evened out. The Marlins are conscious of the fact they could use a middle of the order bat to protect Giancarlo Stanton, and they have some young pitchers who could be slid into the rotation.
4. New York Mets: No secret the Mets fall short of having a major league
outfield right now. It doesn't matter if Kubel bats left handed, his bat would
make the Mets better. The Mets should have a little interest, being his price
tag would be much less than that for Upton.
3. San Diego Padres: The Padres took a big step towards contention last season, with a strong finish. I thought they would be more active in trying to move on that momentum. Kubel would be a solid addition for the Padres, who have little in their order to protect 3B Chase Headley. Kubel would be perfect batting 5th behind Headley. However, there is concerns his HR numbers may go down playing his home games in Petco Park.
2. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs could be a fit and it is possible he could surpass his HR total of last year playing his home games in Wrigley Field. Based on comments from GM Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum, the Cubs seem pretty serious about considering themselves a contender for 2013. The last step will be doing something to back it up. This makes Kubel a possibility.
1. Milwaukee Brewers: They have a spot in the outfield with Corey Hart moving to 1B. With Hart possibly having surgery and missing a significant part of the 2013 season, the need is a little more there for them to add a middle of the order bat. If he can hit 30 HRs for the Brewers, it will do wonders replacing some of the power lost when Prince Fielder left to play for Detroit.
5. Miami Marlins: The Marlins sound like a crazy spot, but remember, the Marlins still have some players who they may want to move. Perhaps a straight up trade for Ricky Nolasco could work, with the dollars possibly evened out. The Marlins are conscious of the fact they could use a middle of the order bat to protect Giancarlo Stanton, and they have some young pitchers who could be slid into the rotation.
4. New York Mets: No secret the Mets fall short of having a major league
outfield right now. It doesn't matter if Kubel bats left handed, his bat would
make the Mets better. The Mets should have a little interest, being his price
tag would be much less than that for Upton.
3. San Diego Padres: The Padres took a big step towards contention last season, with a strong finish. I thought they would be more active in trying to move on that momentum. Kubel would be a solid addition for the Padres, who have little in their order to protect 3B Chase Headley. Kubel would be perfect batting 5th behind Headley. However, there is concerns his HR numbers may go down playing his home games in Petco Park.
2. Chicago Cubs: The Cubs could be a fit and it is possible he could surpass his HR total of last year playing his home games in Wrigley Field. Based on comments from GM Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum, the Cubs seem pretty serious about considering themselves a contender for 2013. The last step will be doing something to back it up. This makes Kubel a possibility.
1. Milwaukee Brewers: They have a spot in the outfield with Corey Hart moving to 1B. With Hart possibly having surgery and missing a significant part of the 2013 season, the need is a little more there for them to add a middle of the order bat. If he can hit 30 HRs for the Brewers, it will do wonders replacing some of the power lost when Prince Fielder left to play for Detroit.
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