MLB Trade Rumors: Blue Jays favorites to land Melvin Upton Jr.
The latest batch of MLB Trade Rumors say that the Blue Jays are the favorites to strike a deal with the Padres for Melvin Upton Jr.
Despite what feels like a plethora of talent, the San Diego Padres have been doing next to nothing this season in regards to wins and losses. Subsequently, they’ve come into the MLB Trade Deadline as sellers and pulled off the first major deal in trading All-Star starting pitcher to the Boston Red Sox. However, they may be on their way to unloading one of their biggest bats in Melvin Upton Jr.
According to Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX, the Padres have indeed been shopping Upton Jr. and right now the Blue Jays are in the driver’s seat to get a deal done:
Sources: #BlueJays front-runners for the #Padres’ Melvin Upton Jr. #Orioles, #Indians remain involved in talks.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2016
Obviously it’s important to note the last note from Rosenthal’s addition to the MLB trade rumors in that the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians are both involved in trying to get a deal done for Upton. As we’ve seen many times before, teams looking for leverage can leak things or teams can make one big desperation offer to change everything.
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Upton Jr. hasn’t been the best or the worst this season as he’s hit .256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases for the Padres. However, teams wonder if his production would spike in a new situation and the Blue Jays seem willing to bet on if the AL East is one of those situations or not.
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