MONDAY: The deadline to trade Upton has passed, notes Topkin, so he's staying with the Rays.
SATURDAY: B.J. Upton has been claimed off trade waivers by an unknown team, reports Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times. The Rays have until Monday to work out a trade with the claiming team or pull their center fielder back, and Topkin says a deal seems unlikely as of right now.
Upton, who just turned 27, was a popular name before the trade deadline as teams looked for alternatives to the pricier Hunter Pence and Carlos Beltran. The Braves, Indians, Phillies, Giants, Pirates, and Nationals all had interest in July, though the first five teams ended up with other outfielders. The Nats may still have interest, though again we don't know which team actually made the claim.
Scheduled to become a free agent after 2012, Upton is being paid $4.825MM this season and will be arbitration-eligible again this winter. He's hitting just .224/.304/.390 with 17 homers in 495 plate appearances this year, but as always a big chunk of his value comes from his legs (26 steals) and defense (fourth best UZR among all center fielders since 2009).
Marlins perhaps?
AL teams have first crack, so I would doubt he gets to any NL team. My guess is Orioles
Orioles?? how would that make any sense..
Upton’s only value is in CF, last I checked Orioles are set in that department.
Indians
probably since brantly hit the dl
Im randomly guessing Dbacks
Big woop wadda fide about it?
Patty Tanegar the caddy manager… Priceless
hmmm nats
Red Sox should try we really need a RH bat for right field. Just don’t know if they would trade in the Division. Maybe if we give them more than there asking for. Man he would be a nice pice for us.
Pretty sure the sox are good enough, leave some for the rest of the league.
Not my fault the Red Sox have a huge payroll and can afford to get anyone they want. If your team had the the same resources and payroll you would be saying the same thing.
Remember when the Red Sox used to complain about the Yankees buying championships?
oh yah, where would the sox be this year with out their last 2 big FA acquisitions, Crawford and Lackey..
Sox have one of the best track records in terms of drafting and player
development. They have home grown all star talent signed to
ridiculously team friendly contracts and trade their excess prospects
for other players…
You forgot about the trade for Adrian Gonzalez , which was in many no different than buying a player.I wonder how the Red Sox would look without his production.And just to be noted, I ‘m not complaining about buying players, if a team has the resources, go for it.
I also remember the Tainted championship arguments and the “Joke of a ballpark” arguments.
Things the Yankees and Red Sox fans should not argue about
1- Payroll
2- Steroids and tainted championships
3- Fan base
4- Whose stadium is a joke
Where exactly is Upton gonna play? The Red Sox’s already have a good young CF there really isn’t a need for another one and Upton really shouldn’t DH either which he can’t do anyway with David Ortiz there as well…
“Red Sox should try we really need a RH bat for right field.” – Cody
he’s not even hitting lefties this year
He’ll fit right in.
With who? The Sox have been killing lefties this year.
Kevin 26 minutes ago in reply to notsureifsrs
He’ll fit right in.<——- that is called "sarcasm", you alcoholic.
How’d you know?
I don’t think the Sox should get him, I was just telling him that Cody had already answered his question.
My team spends less, way less, and has an even record as yours.
One thing I know for FACT, the rays will not just “let him go” a la Alex Rios with the blue jays. They lost their best opportunity to get maximum value for him at the trade deadline.
I never said they would I actually said the Red Sox should give more so they will trade in the division. I’m guessing a couple top 20 prospects gets it done.
i will give you five american dollars to root for a different team
I think he means top 20 in the Red Sox system, which is less ridiculous then I think you may have read it.
well sure – boston doesn’t even have one top 20 overall prospect, let alone two
it would be one thing if they had any use for upton whatsoever. i’m an upton fan; despite his struggles, i like the player. but the idea of boston trading two top 20 organizational prospects for him is ass-chappingly dense
I think it’s the white sox that claimed him because they will need a lead-off hitter for next year since pierre will become a free agent
and take AB’s away from Rios?
at this point anything is better than rios
What, is that a Bad thing?
White Sox -for Jorden Danks – look for then a trade with Cubs – Big Z and Soriano for Rios and Dunn + = money
DEAL
yes, I agree. and plus it would give all players involved a 2nd chance at resurrecting their careers….sox can also then trade peavy, danks, and quentin for an ace pitcher
Peavy for Burnett, Prospect or two and 25 million?
i’d rather trade quentin, peavy, floyd, dunn for texeira and other players
hahaha, that doesn’t get you an Ace pitcher.
danks and quentin together along with a prospect would get you an ace…..considering danks and quentin won’t demand a lot of money on their contracts
why would any team trade an ace for Danks and Quentin +, unless the prospect is like really really good?
because Danks is going to be an ace and is already a young stud pitcher?
Danks ERA is good for 24th in the AL this year, his WHIP 27th. He’s in the 20’s in nearly every category for AL only. I’d hardly consider him a young stud pitcher.
Texas? Put him in CF and at the bottom of the lineup and see what happens. It is not like they would not have the necessary prospects to move in case they want to acquire him…. and just to really stir the pot..
“Martin Perez was scratched from his Round Rock start on Friday night and was replaced by Eric Hurley.”
Are you implying a Upton for Perez swap? Hahaha, never gonna happen.
Wonder if the Shoulder injury is still lingering ? But I highly doubt that BJ gets traded by Monday . The Rays just don’t want cash and a PTBNL … They want at least 2 lower level prospects
He will not be traded, I can assure you. No way Tampa trades their biggest chip on the waiver deadline.
But Longoria wasn’t claimed.
It’s possible the Cardinals placed this waiver claim on BJ Upton. With Rasmus gone, Jon Jay slumping, and no clear cut top of the order, base stealing threat guy (Furcal has slowed down)…this might be a fit. Plus, St Louis has plenty of prospects to deal.
Im guessing Oakland, maybe Seattle. His defensive ability would work well in Safeco or the coliseum and any rebound in offensive production at the begining of next season would net either team some quality prospects at the trade deadline if they chose to trade him.
safeco would only hurt upton’s RH power and the mariners already have a defense-first centerfielder who’s much better defensively than him
Carlos Quentin for Upton. Then they trade Peavy for Jason Bay. Trade Rios to the Yankees for Burnett. Bring Viciedo up to play RF. Resign Buerhle
B.J. Upton CF Mark Buerhle
Alexei Ramirez SS A.J. Burnett
Paul Konerko 1B John Danks
Dayan Viciedo RF Gavin Floyd
Adam Dunn DH Chris Sale
Jason Bay LF
A.J. Pierzynski C
Brent Morel 3B
Gordon Beckham 2B
Why would the Rays trade Upton for Quentin, that makes almost no sense for them?
Cause they could move Jennings to CF and either plug Quentin at a corner spot or DH him. He is controlled for at least one more year. I dont think it would make NO sense. They have a great farm system so I would think they would want a major leaguer for Upton. What a concept. Actually get big league talent for your players instead of a hit or miss prospect.
Quentin is also hurt right now and is known to be injury-prone
He had a broken hand from hitting his bat in 08 and plantar facisis in 09. He has had little injuries but nothing that would label him injury prone or anything.
I’m gonna guess the Blue Jays. It’s buy low, Rasmus is on the DL with the rosters expanding before he returns, and he’s a definite upgrade over DeWayne Wise. He’s also a pretty good trading chip in the offseason.
which is why the rays won’t be trading him to the up-and-coming jays right now
Probably not, but a waiver claim by them does make sense.
How exactly do the waiver trades work? Can Upton be traded for any player in another organization, including players on the active roster, or just for minor league players? Similarly, if a player passes through waivers, is not claimed, and can be traded to any team, who can be included in the trade? Is it all players including active roster players, or is it limited to minor league players, etc.?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/08/waiver-trade-ex.html
Upton would sure look good running around right field in Petco. Hoyer took a chance on Maybin last winter and it has paid off big time. With the way Venable has been playing lately, going into next season with a starting outfield of Venable, Maybin and Upton would be very exciting and exactly the kind of defense you need in Petco. I think all Upton needs is a change of scenery and what better place than sunny San Diego to get your career back on track. Of course the way Blanks has been playing as of late the Padres probably aren’t interested in an outfielder, but a man can dream can’t he.
You don’t like Blanks?
No I like Blanks just fine. I am however of the belief that with Petco being such a large field, the Padres should have 3 centerfield types roaming the pasture.
It’s the Packers.
We wont know who it is until Monday or the trade is done, IMO
notsureifsrs
i think its stl.. with berkman probably retire… they need more outfield depht.. corey patterson sucks…U GIVE JOHN JAY a BREAK.. this gives stl speed and pop
I don’t think he gets out of the AL
Indians: They’re dumb enough
Red Sox’s SS.
Indians 2B intill Kilpnis gets back then CF.
Rangers CF
i wonder if it is the white sox, there was a comment made about them yesterday claiming someone who can help for a while. Just wonder who they would have given up.
So, reading through these comments I’m struck by the fact that most people here think BJ is a highly desirable player. He’s crap. Granted, as a CF, he has SOME value. But even then, he’s 17th out of 19th in OPS for CF. And CF are not exactly known for mashing the ball.
He had one great year (4 years ago) a couple ok years, but just as many crappy years. For whatever reason (probably because of his brother, and the fact that he was a 2nd overall pick) he still seems to be a “name” player, and probably has trade value. But if I’m the Rays, I trade him now before he kills whatever trade value he has.
he’s 26 with super tools at a premium position and a high ceiling he’s proven he can reach. they’re not excited about what he’s done recently, but what he can do going forward
Of course what they’ve done recently matters. Aaron Hill is only 2 years removed from a 35 HR .829 OPS season. Does that mean he’s going to be an impact player? The best predictor of future performance is past performance, and Upton has had one really good season out of 7. All the tools in the world don’t matter if the player doesn’t know how to put it together on a consistent basis. BJ is 27. This is supposed to be the prime of his career, and he’ll start his decline soon. There is no more ceiling to the guy. We’ve seen what he’s capable of doing, but he doesn’t seem willing or able to get back there.
i didn’t say it didn’t matter, so who are you talking to?
whether or not you agree about his potential, it is the reason people — professionals and laymen alike — think as highly of him as they do
I’d go after him BECAUSE his value is low. And a 26 year old with three 4 WAR seasons under his belt is still pretty desirable. And he’s a “name” player because of his tools. He’s got +power for his position, +speed, and we all know about his defense too. Thats stuff that you can work with especially at his age.
put him in a park like arlington and he’s likely a 4+ WAR player right away
Rangers maybe?
Kinsler-2B
Andrus-SS
Hamilton-LF
Beltre-3B
Young-DH
Napoli/Torrealba-C
Cruz-RF
Moreland-1B
Upton/Chavez-CF
1.Wilson
2.Ogando
3.Harrison
4.Lewis
5.Holland
LRP-Feldman
MRP-Lowe
MRP-Tateyama
MRP-O’Day
SU-Uehara
SU-Adams
CP-Feliz
Thats SO scary……..on paper
way scarier if you put andrus to the bottom of the lineup where he belongs and slot young 2nd
kinsler
young
hamilton
napoli
cruz
beltre
moreland
upton
andrus
I’d pass on Upton just cause we have Leonys Martin coming up who could be better than Upton.
The Rangers are really the only AL team I can see claiming him. But still, my bet is he’ll probably end up a Nat when its all said and done. Rizzo has been drooling over Upton for two years now and I can see him overpaying in the winter
I think it was the Nats. He won’t affect any team’s pennant race chances and I don’t see an AL team that really thinks that he helps their chances this year or next. Also, the Nats (Rizzo) want him in an almost unhealthy way.
Friedman was just gathering information about his value. Not a surprise that he was claimed and retained.