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MLB Free Agency: 5 potential landing spots for Justin Upton

By Dave Stevenson

Jul 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) hits three run home run in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) hits three run home run in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; The Texas Rangers celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Texas Rangers defeat the Angels 9-2 and clinch the American League West division. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are already dealing with numerous huge contracts. They have Elvis Andrus, Cole Hamels, Shin-Soo Choo, Prince Fielder, Josh Hamilton (though the Angels are paying a decent portion of his deal), and Adrian Beltre. They might not want to add another huge contract. However, they do have some issues with outfield production. Justin Upton would be an excellent, albeit expensive, option for them.

The Rangers could use another right-handed power bat to complement Fielder and Beltre. Texas is a hitter-friendly park, especially to hitters with power. Upton certainly has power. In Texas, Upton could easily hit 30 home runs a season.

The main issue with the Rangers is that they already have a pretty full outfield. The addition of Justin Upton would likely mean that Hamilton would have to sit on the bench on a fairly regular basis or accept the full-time designated hitter role. That would force Prince Fielder to be the everyday first baseman. Fielder, despite his last name, is a below average first baseman defensively.

This could get a bit complicated for the Rangers because they already have Choo and Hamilton in the outfield. However, the Rangers have shown that they are all-in to win a championship during the next three to four seasons. Upton would help them achieve that goal, so I certainly wouldn’t rule out Upton signing with the Rangers.

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