The Hot Stove in Arizona has reached it's max temperature! After the D-backs signed Cody Ross in early December they made it very aware they wanted to trade away OF Justin Upton. Automatically the Atlanta Braves; who signed Justin's brother B.J earlier this offseason jumped to an offer but, Arizona pushed Atlanta away quickly when they said they wanted Atlanta's young Shortstop Andrelton Simmons. And for almost 2 months the Braves and D-backs stop talks then rumor grew that Seattle would throw a ridiculous offer to Arizona that Arizona couldn't turn down but, Justin stretched his No-Trade Clause and killed the whole deal... Upton then carried on to say he would not be traded to: Seattle, Boston, Chi Cubs, and Toronto. Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren went on The MLB Network at the first of January and said that the Braves had tried contacting Arizona but the Dbacks would never return the call. Wren also said the Braves had not ruled out resigning OF Michael Bourn. (Bourn is the only big name free agent left in the market but agent Scott Boras later announced Bourns price of 100M would not be going down... Bourn's top landing places will be Philidelphia or Texas.) Since then Arizona's market to shop Upton has shrunk tremendously and as of Wednesday night (1-23-13) Atlanta had made another offer to Arizona. Not long after news breaking of Atlanta had made an offer for Upton news also broke the Baltimore Orioles had made an offer to Arizona to recieve Jason Kubal. Arizona later announced they would make a decision on what they would do within 24 hours.
I don't see Arizona not trading Justin Upton. After saying they would trade him almost all of last year and the whole off-season if ARZ can't trade Upton then don't be suprised to see a lazy unhappy Upton all season...
If the Braves somehow received Justin from the D-backs. The Braves believe they could have the best team in the NL. The would have 6 20+ HR hitters and their lineup would looks something like this
1. Prado. 3B
2. B.J Upton. CF
3. Heyward. RF
4. Freeeman. 1B
5. J. Upton. LF
6. McCann. C
7. Uggla. 2B
8. Simmons. SS
9. ________. P
I don't see Arizona not trading Justin Upton. After saying they would trade him almost all of last year and the whole off-season if ARZ can't trade Upton then don't be suprised to see a lazy unhappy Upton all season...
If the Braves somehow received Justin from the D-backs. The Braves believe they could have the best team in the NL. The would have 6 20+ HR hitters and their lineup would looks something like this
1. Prado. 3B
2. B.J Upton. CF
3. Heyward. RF
4. Freeeman. 1B
5. J. Upton. LF
6. McCann. C
7. Uggla. 2B
8. Simmons. SS
9. ________. P