Justin Upton to the Pirates?

[ballerskrip]

Boy, this would certainly be interesting. Gotta figure that Taillon or Cole would be included. Pirates would have two studs in the outfield, that's a fact.

From mlbtraderumors.com

11:27am: Interest in Upton is said to be "huge'', sources tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Sources say that the outfielder's limited no-trade list is the same as it was a couple years ago and he can block a deal to the Tigers, Indians, A's, and Royals. Detroit, Heyman notes, is a team that would have interest in Upton.
10:54am: The Pirates have had preliminary trade discussions involving the Padres' Carlos Quentin and the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, major league sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.com. Talent evaluators from both teams have scouted PIttsburgh's farm system in recent days and the teams are preparing lists of prospects they would target in a potential deal.
It is unlikely the Pirates would acquire both outfielders, but they have a strong desire to land one of the two. Quentin, 29, would require a lesser package as he is eligible for free agency after this season. Upton, 24, would cost more in terms of prospects as he is under contract through 2015.
When it comes to trades, the Pirates are said to be more attached to Gerrit Cole than Jameson Taillon, in part because Cole is closer to the big leagues. The D'Backs are looking to compete again in 2013 and would likely target players who are closer to the majors in a deal for Upton. The Padres, meanwhile, are willing to take younger players, as long as they have considerable upside.

 

[jrinne]

Makes room for AJ to come back up, I like it. Plus I would really like to see the Pirates make a run at it this year.

 

[longbomberz]

I know he's down this year, but I don't know how you can trade Upton. Seems like a move that'll get Towers fired in a couple years.

 

[chompsmcgee]

I love Upton and hope he stays in AZ but sounds like the D-backs are serious as ever to listen to offers.

Could he be the new Gary Sheffield?

 

[ThoseBackPages]

that would be awesome!

 

[Pine Tar]

that would be awesome!

Sounds of Eric (woundedduck)hitting the floor. :lol:

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Sounds of Eric (woundedduck)hitting the floor. :lol:

LOL!

 

[gt2590]

I'd be shocked to see this happen even for 2 or 3 of the Pirates top Prospects.

As an Upton fan, I think he's just got too much upside to trade for less than a super Package of huge Prospects...

I know they have a ton of OFers and Pollack available to step in, but it'd be a big GM-gets-fired next year type of Mistake IMO.

 

[vwnut13]

Hope it happens so ******* can play!

 

[Y4NK335]

I'd love to see the Pirates make this move and they certainly do not lack the pieces to do so!

 

[markakis8]

I think Quentin would be a better fit for the Pirates. They are one of the hottest teams right now, especially offensively and have a MASSIVE core of young pitchers that could be huge in their future. I'm not sure why they would want to get rid of that for Upton.

You need the arms. Don't trade them away.

 

[HPC]

I dont see the Pirates parting with the players AZ would want which would need to include Cole and or Taillon. It would take at least a 3-4 player deal to get Upton

 

[bdal23]

I dont see the Pirates parting with the players AZ would want which would need to include Cole and or Taillon. It would take at least a 3-4 player deal to get Upton

I agree Cole. The D'backs would want at least 4 players with Cole not likely on the table any deal with the pirates would have to include Taillon and Starling Marte. Then I'm sure the D'backs would want Alen Hansen and a power arm for the pen and try to get a 5th as a throw in
interest in Upton may be huge but I'm sure the asking price is just as big.
Keep in mind the D'backs are only 4 games out of first. The pitching staff is young and talented, the core position players are young and signed to affordable contracts, the farm system is deep with pitching and positional prospects soon to be major league ready. This is not a team that will move a 24 yr old player like Upton without getting a kings ransom in return.

 

[ballerskrip]

I dont see the Pirates parting with the players AZ would want which would need to include Cole and or Taillon. It would take at least a 3-4 player deal to get Upton

I am guessing that you are right, would cost a FORTUNE. But the Pirates might believe that it is the only way to get another young superstar to Pittsburgh.

 

[markakis8]

Here's how I look at it - their recent success has been through their own draft (McCutchen, Walker, Alvarez, Watson, etc) and great, CHEAP trades/waiver claims (McDonald, Burnett, G. Jones, Karstens, Hanrahan, Resop, Grilli)

Why change your strategy and get rid of most of your future from top draft picks for a guy like Upton? Sure Upton has massive potential but what if he plays out his days like he has this year? What if he doesn't want to share the spotlight with McCutchen? You got your face of the franchise in McCutchen. Build AROUND him.

I think they have great pitching coaches as their pitching has seen improvement every year (Charlie Morton last year anyone?) Their offense is clicking NOW, they just need to find cheap ways to add depth to the lineup and I think they can do that with Carlos Quentin.

 

[markakis8]

How about this trade Pirates fans? Carlos Quentin and Chase Headley to the Pirates for Luis Heredia (sleeper with huge potential), Kyle McPherson, Robbie Grossman, and Nick Kingham

 

[morgoth]

Heredia is a good sleeper pick for sure. I think Heredia and Starling Martin is a good start to any trade talk for Headley and Quinton.

For Upton it would take Taillon and Heredia and Martin to make the deal work. I don't think the Pirates would lose two A and one B prospects right now for Upton who is not having a great season but has cost control for 3 more years.

I think they need another starter personally and hope Starling can provide some spark once called up after the AS game.

 

[chompsmcgee]

I think Quentin would be a better fit for the Pirates. They are one of the hottest teams right now, especially offensively and have a MASSIVE core of young pitchers that could be huge in their future. I'm not sure why they would want to get rid of that for Upton.

You need the arms. Don't trade them away.

You don't build a team around young arms. You build it around guys that play every day.

 

[bdal23]

How about this trade Pirates fans? Carlos Quentin and Chase Headley to the Pirates for Luis Heredia (sleeper with huge potential), Kyle McPherson, Robbie Grossman, and Nick Kingham

That is not enough to get both Headley and Quentin.
The Padres would be looking for a future middle of the order bat. Hence Starling Marte should be the center piece. In order to get Quentin the Pirates would have to give up 2 Top 10 prospects in their organization.

 

[bdal23]

Here's how I look at it - their recent success has been through their own draft (McCutchen, Walker, Alvarez, Watson, etc) and great, CHEAP trades/waiver claims (McDonald, Burnett, G. Jones, Karstens, Hanrahan, Resop, Grilli)

Why change your strategy and get rid of most of your future from top draft picks for a guy like Upton? Sure Upton has massive potential but what if he plays out his days like he has this year? What if he doesn't want to share the spotlight with McCutchen? You got your face of the franchise in McCutchen. Build AROUND him.

I think they have great pitching coaches as their pitching has seen improvement every year (Charlie Morton last year anyone?) Their offense is clicking NOW, they just need to find cheap ways to add depth to the lineup and I think they can do that with Carlos Quentin.

I live in Arizona and watch nearly every dbacks game. I dont worry about Upton performing going forward. IMO his struggles this season were due to him putting too much pressure on himself. At age 24 the dbacks were being talked about as world series contenders and Upton was being talked about as one of the games rising young stars. The team struggled and Upton hurt his thumb in spring training. He stayed in the lineup tried to play through and got out of sync at the plate. Fans also have been booing him and blaming him for the disappointing season.
Now he seems to be getting back to where he should be at the plate. He is using more of the whole field now hitting laser shots to right field. I think he is in line for a big second half. If the diamondbacks trade Upton I feel they will be making one of the biggest mistakes the organization has ever made. Right up there with giving Eric Brynes $12M a year.