Nationals VERY interested in BJ Upton

[Joshua.Roundtree]

Not sure if this has been posted around here yet, but according to mlbtraderumors.com the Nats GM is considering offering 'the moon' for BJ Upton, thinking a change of scenery will do him well. I agree with him there, but as a Rays fan I can only hope Upton is gone before the deadlline. He hasn't played hard in three years because he thinks he gets paid too little. Desmond Jennings has done more in two games than BJ has done this month. Now the question is, what exactly is 'the moon.' I'm assuming Bryce and Stras are untouchable, but what names come to mind that the Rays could use. I'm thinking the two Low-A arms AJ Cole and Robbie Ray would be enticing. Any Nats fans want to chime in with opinions?

 

[TomMurry]

There are several guys in the farm that could be legit closers, which COULD make Storen available.

 

[tm decomposer]

Not sure if this has been posted around here yet, but according to mlbtraderumors.com the Nats GM is considering offering 'the moon' for BJ Upton, thinking a change of scenery will do him well. I agree with him there, but as a Rays fan I can only hope Upton is gone before the deadlline. He hasn't played hard in three years because he thinks he gets paid too little. Desmond Jennings has done more in two games than BJ has done this month. Now the question is, what exactly is 'the moon.' I'm assuming Bryce and Stras are untouchable, but what names come to mind that the Rays could use. I'm thinking the two Low-A arms AJ Cole and Robbie Ray would be enticing. Any Nats fans want to chime in with opinions?

I think you're dead on with the AJ Cole offer, that would be a starting point.

 

[Zymco]

First off, the Nationals have always seemed to be obsessed with Upton. Its hard for them not to be, he is still a five tool talent just hasn't seemed to learn how to translate that into superstardom. Also Upton is from nearby Virginia and is childhood friends with Ryan Zimmerman. I think the Nationals have done a phenomenal job of resurrecting their farm team and their major league club for that matter. They have a legitimate chance to be a contender in next years NL East. An acquisition of Upton would make them INCREDIBLE up the middle both offensively and defensively, they have very promising young players in WIlson Ramos, Ian Desmond, and Danny Espinosa (who is a legit nl roy candidate, although that award will end up in Atlanta.) Obviously the Nationals future will hinge on the success of tommy john surgery from their two top arms and the development of the best prospect in baseball, but if this trade goes down their line-up could look like this next season.

1. Upton CF
2. Espinoa 2nd
3. Zimmerman 3rd
4. Werth lf
5. Morse 1b
6. Harper RF
7. Ramos C
8. Desmond
9. pitcher

with Zimmerman and Strasburg at the top of their rotation with a fantastic bullpen that posses arms like Storen, Rodriguez, Clippard.

 

[Hallsgator]

Interesting player to choose to go all out on.

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

First off, the Nationals have always seemed to be obsessed with Upton. Its hard for them not to be, he is still a five tool talent just hasn't seemed to learn how to translate that into superstardom. Also Upton is from nearby Virginia and is childhood friends with Ryan Zimmerman. I think the Nationals have done a phenomenal job of resurrecting their farm team and their major league club for that matter. They have a legitimate chance to be a contender in next years NL East. An acquisition of Upton would make them INCREDIBLE up the middle both offensively and defensively, they have very promising young players in WIlson Ramos, Ian Desmond, and Danny Espinosa (who is a legit nl roy candidate, although that award will end up in Atlanta.) Obviously the Nationals future will hinge on the success of tommy john surgery from their two top arms and the development of the best prospect in baseball, but if this trade goes down their line-up could look like this next season.

1. Upton CF
2. Espinoa 2nd
3. Zimmerman 3rd
4. Werth lf
5. Morse 1b
6. Harper RF
7. Ramos C
8. Desmond
9. pitcher

with Zimmerman and Strasburg at the top of their rotation with a fantastic bullpen that posses arms like Storen, Rodriguez, Clippard.

I think Ryan Zimmerman may know that BJ has been dogging it here in Tampa. Saturday nights game was particularly painful to watch Upton. He Ks looking the first two times up (argues with the ump both times, of course, like always) and then tells himself he isn't going to K again and proceeds to swing at the first pitch, which bounced two feet in front of home plate. He is a 100% guess hitter (which is why he leads MLB in Ks looking), and that just doesn't translate to production in the Majors. Upton has had one good season (his first full year) and has been all potential ever since. If Upton nets a top prospect and two MLB regulars I'd take it and run.

 

[TomMurry]

First off, the Nationals have always seemed to be obsessed with Upton. Its hard for them not to be, he is still a five tool talent just hasn't seemed to learn how to translate that into superstardom. Also Upton is from nearby Virginia and is childhood friends with Ryan Zimmerman. I think the Nationals have done a phenomenal job of resurrecting their farm team and their major league club for that matter. They have a legitimate chance to be a contender in next years NL East. An acquisition of Upton would make them INCREDIBLE up the middle both offensively and defensively, they have very promising young players in WIlson Ramos, Ian Desmond, and Danny Espinosa (who is a legit nl roy candidate, although that award will end up in Atlanta.) Obviously the Nationals future will hinge on the success of tommy john surgery from their two top arms and the development of the best prospect in baseball, but if this trade goes down their line-up could look like this next season.

1. Upton CF
2. Espinoa 2nd
3. Zimmerman 3rd
4. Werth lf
5. Morse 1b
6. Harper RF
7. Ramos C
8. Desmond
9. pitcher

with Zimmerman and Strasburg at the top of their rotation with a fantastic bullpen that posses arms like Storen, Rodriguez, Clippard.

Depending on development and a couple of other things, you might have to put harper 5 and ramos 6 with morse 7.

 

[schmidtfan20]

*** of cash> Jason Werth

 

[Zymco]

First off, the Nationals have always seemed to be obsessed with Upton. Its hard for them not to be, he is still a five tool talent just hasn't seemed to learn how to translate that into superstardom. Also Upton is from nearby Virginia and is childhood friends with Ryan Zimmerman. I think the Nationals have done a phenomenal job of resurrecting their farm team and their major league club for that matter. They have a legitimate chance to be a contender in next years NL East. An acquisition of Upton would make them INCREDIBLE up the middle both offensively and defensively, they have very promising young players in WIlson Ramos, Ian Desmond, and Danny Espinosa (who is a legit nl roy candidate, although that award will end up in Atlanta.) Obviously the Nationals future will hinge on the success of tommy john surgery from their two top arms and the development of the best prospect in baseball, but if this trade goes down their line-up could look like this next season.

1. Upton CF
2. Espinoa 2nd
3. Zimmerman 3rd
4. Werth lf
5. Morse 1b
6. Harper RF
7. Ramos C
8. Desmond
9. pitcher

with Zimmerman and Strasburg at the top of their rotation with a fantastic bullpen that posses arms like Storen, Rodriguez, Clippard.

Depending on development and a couple of other things, you might have to put harper 5 and ramos 6 with morse 7.

Morse has been awesome.

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

Interesting player to choose to go all out on.

My thoughts exactly. Unless teams are upping his value because they don't want to acquire Beltran to watch him walk after the season ends. Upton is under control through 2012. However, seeing him play everyday for the last five years, I can't imagine what there is to like besides his defense, which isn't even that great because he can't hit a cutoff man to save his life. He airmails every throw. But I'm not a scout, although I sit right in front of Matt and Andrew's box at the Trop, they see what I see. If anybody offers 'the moon' Upton is as good as gone.

 

[TomMurry]

First off, the Nationals have always seemed to be obsessed with Upton. Its hard for them not to be, he is still a five tool talent just hasn't seemed to learn how to translate that into superstardom. Also Upton is from nearby Virginia and is childhood friends with Ryan Zimmerman. I think the Nationals have done a phenomenal job of resurrecting their farm team and their major league club for that matter. They have a legitimate chance to be a contender in next years NL East. An acquisition of Upton would make them INCREDIBLE up the middle both offensively and defensively, they have very promising young players in WIlson Ramos, Ian Desmond, and Danny Espinosa (who is a legit nl roy candidate, although that award will end up in Atlanta.) Obviously the Nationals future will hinge on the success of tommy john surgery from their two top arms and the development of the best prospect in baseball, but if this trade goes down their line-up could look like this next season.

1. Upton CF
2. Espinoa 2nd
3. Zimmerman 3rd
4. Werth lf
5. Morse 1b
6. Harper RF
7. Ramos C
8. Desmond
9. pitcher

with Zimmerman and Strasburg at the top of their rotation with a fantastic bullpen that posses arms like Storen, Rodriguez, Clippard.

Depending on development and a couple of other things, you might have to put harper 5 and ramos 6 with morse 7.

Morse has been awesome.

Morse also hits for power. You want to give more opportunities for guys to be on base for him.

 

[19braves77]

Crazy to think at one time, the ys thought they would have an outfield of Josh Hamilton, Delmon Young, and Carl Crawford with Bj Upton at SS.

 

[jeff550]

If they give up Cole, Ray, Solis, Desmond, Clippard, or Sotoren for Upton I will be pissed, I could add to the list



I will say I am not a big Upton fan, and hope the Nats dont trade for him, as his price will be to high for my liking

 

[Zymco]

Crazy to think at one time, the ys thought they would have an outfield of Josh Hamilton, Delmon Young, and Carl Crawford with Bj Upton at SS.

Not so much. Josh Hamilton was banned in 2002. Just after Upton was drafted and before Delmon Young was ever in the organization. Obviously Hamilton came back in 2006 to play 16 games with rookie league team Hudson Valley, but at that point it was known he was going to be unprotected going into the rule five draft. Those four were never predicted to play together at all. An outfield of Crawford, Hamilton, and Baldelli was the dream outfield that most predicted back in 2001.

 

[craiger122003]

Rasmus might be a cheaper play
but I think they want an overpayment as well

 

[Pine Tar]

Rasmus might be a cheaper play
but I think they want an overpayment as well

Hysterically the WhiteSox said they are looking to acquire him. :lol: Really
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/chicago_white_sox/
As for the poster that said Upton was dogging it.
It seems for the past few years, he has heard his name mentioned in trades and nothing happens. So maybe does not want to get trade, but instead leave when he is done with his contract.

 

[ljw29]

BJ belongs with the Nats and being with Zimmerman and closer to his family will do him a lot of good. So Nats need to pony up Storen, Coffey, and Cole and say Adios and hello BJ

 

[jeff550]

BJ belongs with the Nats and being with Zimmerman and closer to his family will do him a lot of good. So Nats need to pony up Storen, Coffey, and Cole and say Adios and hello BJ

You would give up a top 50 prospect, and storen for upton. That's to much IMO as the nats need a Obp guy, not a power guy

 

[MacK]

Rasmus might be a cheaper play
but I think they want an overpayment as well

Rasmus > Upton.

 

[craiger122003]

Mack yes but Rasmus is under control and for cheaper
WAY cheaper thats the Ace the Cardinals have to play