Justin Upton

[dew1679666265]

Doubt it. Any Upton talks would likely start (and end) with Castro.

 

Like SSR said, they can ask all they want but there's no chance they get a Castro talent for Upton. There's very, very few talents like Castro anyway (Harper and Trout and that's about it) and Castro is more valuable than Upton anyway (cheaper, more team control, no injury concerns).

 

If they demand Castro, I'm asking for Upton and probably at least one of their elite pitching prospects (Bauer/Skaggs/etc).

[Vinestal]

I'm suspicious of Justin's health, gotta believe something's up with that shoulder when you look at those numbers. I'd rather not risk what it would take to get him only to find out he's damaged goods down the line.

[dew1679666265]

I'm suspicious of Justin's health, gotta believe something's up with that shoulder when you look at those numbers. I'd rather not risk what it would take to get him only to find out he's damaged goods down the line.

 

It's definitely a concern, but I'd trust the Theo regime's evaluation of his health. If they feel strongly enough in his ability to stay healthy to make the deal it would take, I'd trust them.

[Cubswin11]

Olney tweeted that the Braves could offer a package for Upton with Prado as the centerpiece. Sure those talks would go far, Buster :good:

[KingCubsFan]

Doubt it. Any Upton talks would likely start (and end) with Castro.

 

Like SSR said, they can ask all they want but there's no chance they get a Castro talent for Upton. There's very, very few talents like Castro anyway (Harper and Trout and that's about it) and Castro is more valuable than Upton anyway (cheaper, more team control, no injury concerns).

 

If they demand Castro, I'm asking for Upton and probably at least one of their elite pitching prospects (Bauer/Skaggs/etc).

They don't have to get a Castro talent, we're just talking about the Cubs' ability to trade for him. There's a large gap between someone like Castro and someone like Garza + Brett Jackson. The problem is that the Cubs don't have anyone in that gap for the D'Backs (Rizzo could headline a deal, but I doubt the D'Backs would be interested considering they have Goldschmidt). A team like the Pirates could offer Taillon and Cole. The Red Sox could start with Middlebrooks. The Cubs don't really have anyone like that (again, besides Rizzo).

[SouthSideRyan]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

[XZero771679666304]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

 

Because they hate third basemen.

[KingCubsFan]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

Because the Diamondbacks wanted a third baseman

[SouthSideRyan]

Well, I want a pony.

[dew1679666265]

They don't have to get a Castro talent, we're just talking about the Cubs' ability to trade for him. There's a large gap between someone like Castro and someone like Garza + Brett Jackson. The problem is that the Cubs don't have anyone in that gap for the D'Backs (Rizzo could headline a deal, but I doubt the D'Backs would be interested considering they have Goldschmidt). A team like the Pirates could offer Taillon and Cole. The Red Sox could start with Middlebrooks. The Cubs don't really have anyone like that (again, besides Rizzo).

 

There's no doubt we could get outbid if a few teams really want him, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't at least try to make a competitive offer. A Garza/Vitters+ package wouldn't beat the offers you mentioned, but would a team like the Pirates offer Taillon and Cole for a moderately expensive player with an injury concern? Would the Red Sox start with one of their best players when they really need pitching?

 

If they do, then yeah we don't stand much of a chance. But if the shoulder issue and the fact that he's not super cheap (though he is cheap relative to his ability) keeps teams from going all-in for him, then I think a Garza/Vitters+ package could keep us competitive and might be enough.

[Derwood]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

Because the Diamondbacks wanted a third baseman

 

But they just traded Youk in order to give Middlebrooks the full time job

[SouthSideRyan]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

Because the Diamondbacks wanted a third baseman

 

But they just traded Youk in order to give Middlebrooks the full time job

 

And Middlebrooks will cost 33M less over the next 3 seasons. And he plays a more in-demand position. And he doesn't have injury concerns.

[Derwood]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

Because the Diamondbacks wanted a third baseman

 

But they just traded Youk in order to give Middlebrooks the full time job

 

And Middlebrooks will cost 33M less over the next 3 seasons. And he plays a more in-demand position. And he doesn't have injury concerns.

 

but Arizona wants him, so...

[KingCubsFan]

Why on earth would the Red Sox start with Middlebrooks

Because the Diamondbacks wanted a third baseman

 

But they just traded Youk in order to give Middlebrooks the full time job

 

And Middlebrooks will cost 33M less over the next 3 seasons. And he plays a more in-demand position. And he doesn't have injury concerns.

Interesting that Will Middlebrooks now had more trade value than Justin Upton. I guess we'll ignore the fact that Justin Upton is less than a year older and already has two seasons in the majors of OPS's near .900. Or that the Red Sox would truly care about Upton's extra cost.

[tgkimmel]

Take it for what it is worth, but both Bowden and Olney have new articles up about trade fits for Upton. Bowden list five potential trades, the Cubs aren't one of them. Olney also lists several trading partners, mentions the Cubs at the end. The entire comment is below:

 

Chicago Cubs: It's unlikely any deal would happen unless the Diamondbacks received Starlin Castro in return.

[TruffleShuffle]

i like how everyone still talks about the cubs like the entire organization is starlin castro and then a bunch of filler.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

i like how everyone still talks about the cubs like the entire organization is starlin castro and then a bunch of filler.

 

When you are talking about Upton-level trade chips, it's Castro, Rizzo, Garza and a bunch of filler.

[Guest]

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the Pirates are emerging as a "serious bidder" for the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton.

[Guest]

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs.

 

 

What an odd list.

[gocubs2118]

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs.

 

 

What an odd list.

 

It's not an odd list at all. He probably put the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs on that list because those teams could give him a larger contract in order to convince him to come. It doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't want to play for those teams.

[El Duderino]

and he just hates cleveland.

[weis21]

and he just hates cleveland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM

[ConstableRabbit]

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs.

 

 

What an odd list.

 

It's not an odd list at all. He probably put the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs on that list because those teams could give him a larger contract in order to convince him to come. It doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't want to play for those teams.

Yep. I recall hearing of several players who have done this in the past.

[Guest]

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs.

 

 

What an odd list.

 

Maybe he just hates places that have an IKEA.

[Guest]

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton can block trades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians and Cubs.

 

 

What an odd list.

 

Maybe he just hates places that have an IKEA.

 

That can't be it; San Diego, the Bay area and LA teams aren't on that list.