Deal for Upton?

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

 

The latest from ESPN's Jayson Stark...

 

•The Rays are not likely to trade B.J. Upton this summer, though the Nationals have been monitoring the center fielder just in case. Though the Rays feel they have a long-term need for catching, they're not enticed by the Nats' dangling of Jesus Flores and Ivan Rodriguez.

 

Jaramillo might be able to get him back on track after 2 1/2 terrible years. He's still young (26) and would add speed to the lineup. Maybe a deal centered around Castillo, Colvin, and a pitching prospect. Also, I'm sure the Rays wouldn't mind getting rid of his salary ($4.8 million) considering his production for those 2 1/2 years (.235/.315/.706).

[TruffleShuffle]

why would you give up anything of value for him? he's been pretty lousy for 2+ years now and it's not like he's a real young guy any more; this is his age 27 season.

 

i'd like the other upton though.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I used to have the let's go after ___________________ and hope that Rudy J can get him back on track mindset, but I've since accepted the reality that he can't do anything Gerald Perry, Von Joshua, or any other hitting coach cant.

[Guest]

why would you give up anything of value for him? he's been pretty lousy for 2+ years now and it's not like he's a real young guy any more; this is his age 27 season.

 

i'd like the other upton though.

 

BJ was better than his brother last year, and has a 6.2 WAR the last two seasons.

[TruffleShuffle]

that's nice. his brother was way more valuable in 2009, is 2.5 wins better already this year, is 4 years younger and has seen his k rate (his biggest problem) drop from 26.6% in 2010 to 17.8% in 2011.

[Guest]

The point is that BJ is good, not that he's better than Justin.

[rawaction]

BJ is an interesting case. He's not your typical toolsy guy ala Corey Patterson. His walk rate is beyond acceptable. His defense is excellent. He can steal a base with good efficiency. He has a 20 HR season under his belt. A 40 SB season. He was even able to hit for average in his 1st 2 full seasons when he hit .285 in his first 1000 ABS. Guys who breakout that strong usually have very productive careers. He pretty much does everything well on the baseball field, but putting the ball into play consistently.

 

I won't go as far as to say a change of scenery will turn him around, but he plays in one of the worst 5 hitters parks in baseball. I'd love him on the Cubs. The only problem I see is that he's almost due for a big pay day and hasn't played like he deserves it recently. Still, he does enough as a player to be above average. Hopefully, he can take that next step to being great.

[questionmarkgrace]

BJ is an interesting case. He's not your typical toolsy guy ala Corey Patterson. His walk rate is beyond acceptable. His defense is excellent. He can steal a base with good efficiency. He has a 20 HR season under his belt. A 40 SB season. He was even able to hit for average in his 1st 2 full seasons when he hit .285 in his first 1000 ABS. Guys who breakout that strong usually have very productive careers. He pretty much does everything well on the baseball field, but putting the ball into play consistently.

 

I won't go as far as to say a change of scenery will turn him around, but he plays in one of the worst 5 hitters parks in baseball. I'd love him on the Cubs. The only problem I see is that he's almost due for a big pay day and hasn't played like he deserves it recently. Still, he does enough as a player to be above average. Hopefully, he can take that next step to being great.

 

didn't Upton have a nagging injury that was bothering him in the playoffs in 09 and the beginning of last year?

[StarlinOnYou]

I'd love to trade for BJ.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Soto for Upton, Hak Ju Lee, and Chris Archer!

[davell]

Tampa isn't going to trade someone like that without getting a very nice return. Yeah, he's got serious upside, but he's not all THAT young anymore and we've got Jackson and Szczur on the horizon. I'd rather spend the prospects it'd take to get him and spend it on pitching instead personally.

[Guest]

Tampa isn't going to trade someone like that without getting a very nice return. Yeah, he's got serious upside, but he's not all THAT young anymore and we've got Jackson and Szczur on the horizon. I'd rather spend the prospects it'd take to get him and spend it on pitching instead personally.

I agree. With Demp & Z potentially leaving the rotation over the next two years, we need to find some more high end pitching for the rotation.

[Backtobanks]

Tampa isn't going to trade someone like that without getting a very nice return. Yeah, he's got serious upside, but he's not all THAT young anymore and we've got Jackson and Szczur on the horizon. I'd rather spend the prospects it'd take to get him and spend it on pitching instead personally.

 

They might want "a very nice return" for him, but it's going to be a hard sell with those ugly stats for the last 2 1/2 years.

[davell]

Tampa isn't going to trade someone like that without getting a very nice return. Yeah, he's got serious upside, but he's not all THAT young anymore and we've got Jackson and Szczur on the horizon. I'd rather spend the prospects it'd take to get him and spend it on pitching instead personally.

 

They might want "a very nice return" for him, but it's going to be a hard sell with those ugly stats for the last 2 1/2 years.

 

Well yeah.....Which is why they won't be dealing him.