According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Padres could be looking to move outfielder Justin Upton. While San Diego’s GM, A.J Preller, may be reluctant to sell after a busy offseason, Morosi believes they will eventually make a deal if the price is right.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported on Friday that the Padres were scouting the Mets minor leagues, but the two teams aren’t close to making a deal.
“Nothing imminent,” one executive said. “Nothing close,” said another.
A 2015 All-Star, Upton is batting .259 this season with a .434 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, 16 steals, 44 runs scored, and 46 RBI in 84 games.
Amazingly, he has a 3.3 WAR halfway through this season, topping his 3.2 WAR from last season when he posted an .833 OPS with 34 doubles, 29 home runs and 102 RBIs.
The Mets should absolutely take a chance on Upton as long as he doesn’t cost any of their top young arms or Michael Conforto.
Only 27 years old, Upton is still one of game’s top power threats and he would instantly transform a Mets lineup that has desperately lacked power and speed – two commodities Upton would give them.
Since he’s a free agent after this season, San Diego’s asking price shouldn’t be too expensive. One popular Padres site speculated a near-MLB ready high-end hitting prospect and a lesser pitching prospect. Just for conversation’s sake, Brandon Nimmo and Erik Goeddel?
Upton will be owed roughly half of his $14.25 Million dollar contract, so he’s certainly affordable even with the Mets’ tight-wad owners. And given how young he is, perhaps he can be even more than a rental.
