The Rays received a great deal of calls on B.J. Upton in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline with the Braves, Indians, Nationals, Phillies, and Pirates all being linked to the center fielder. While we saw star outfielders Carlos Beltran, Colby Rasmus, and Hunter Pence change teams, Tampa Bay wound up hanging on to the soon-to-be 27-year-old.
Upton is earning $4.825MM this season as he enters his final year of arbitration and is due for a healthy raise in 2012. After that, he'll be in line for a big payday when he hits free agency. So far in 2011, Upton has hit .230/.313/.404 with 16 homers while playing a slightly below average center field according to his -2.0 UZR/150. Of course, the idea of parting with Upton isn't completely unpalatable thanks to the presence of 24-year-old Desmond Jennings, who is under team control through 2015.
Should the Rays trade Upton this winter or hang on to him and re-evaluate during the season?
