Blue Jays Acquire Melvin Upton Jr: What Is the Fantasy Impact?

Blue Jays Trade for Melvin Upton Jr.

Usually once the first big trade goes through, the others follow quickly. That happened today as the Blue Jays improve their outfield by trading for San Diego’s Melvin Upton, Jr. What will this do for your fantasy team? Is Upton now an option in standard leagues? Let’s take a look.

First, we need to look at what got him here. The trade itself looks like this:

The Padres will also be paying roughly $25 million of Upton’s remaining contract, which means the Blue Jays only have to pay him around $5 million for the next year and a half. Upton is hitting .256 with 16 homers, 45 RBI, and 20 steals. He should slot nicely at the top of Toronto’s order, who was using the likes of Jose Bautista at the leadoff slot.

There was much speculation surrounding Upton when he wasn’t in the starting lineup for San Diego on Monday night. He will join the Blue Jays tonight, but will not play until Wednesday.

Upton’s value is in for a huge increase if you can take the hit in average. His runs and RBI should increase dramatically in a potent lineup, and he is worth targeting in most leagues if you need help in those categories. The player formerly known as B.J. is still available in 40% of ESPN.com leagues.

Upton spent the first eight years of his career in the American League with the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays. His average was 35 points higher in the AL and he averaged 15 homers a year as opposed to ten per year in the National League. It is reasonable to expect a slight uptick in power numbers switching from pitcher-friendly Petco Park to Rogers Centre, which is definitely a hitter’s park.