The New York Mets may have balked at the asking price from the San Diego Padres for outfielder Justin Upton last week, but according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports the two sides are ready to rekindle talks. Especially as Uptons asking price continues to decline.
As as MMO reported last week, the San Diego Padres had been scouting the Mets Double-A team in Binghamton at least on two separate occasions.
Initially, the Mets walked away from the bargaining table because the San Diego Padres were not only looking for a top prospect in return for Upton but also wanted the Mets to take on his remaining $7 million in salary.
With the team only one game out of first place and a critical three-game series with the Washington Nationals beginning on Friday, the Mets could still be on the hunt for the big bat they’ve been rumored to be looking for the past two weeks.
July 26
Last week, both Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman reported that the Mets and Padres were engaged in trade talks.
“Recently I heard the Mets were talking to the Padres,” Rosenthal said. He asked a rival executive for his opinion and the exec speculated that Justin Upton would be tops on the agenda for the Mets who were looking for offense.
However, according to CBS Sports‘ Jon Heyman, the Mets balked at San Diego’s asking price for Upton who is a free agent at the end of this season.
“The Mets walked away after a suggestion that included a big prospect or two and no payment toward Upton’s $14.5-million salary, though it isn’t known whether they could resume talks at some point.”
Heyman confirmed a report in the Daily News that they continue to talk about other available hitters such as Gerardo Parra, Carlos Gomez, Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd.
It isn’t certain exactly which prospects the Padres mentioned, Heyman writes, but he speculates they could have asked for Michael Conforto or shortstop Amed Rosario.
The Padres are known to be seeking quality over quantity in their fire sale, Heyman says.
Upton has 15 home runs, 17 stolen bases and 49 RBI to go with a .248 batting average and 95 strikeouts in 375 at-bats.
