Padres News: Trade Talks on Upton Heating Up (Ubaldo for Upton Possible?)

Trade talks are certainly heating up as a number of San Diego Padres players are apparently being shopped around. After Wednesday’s double-header, Fox Sports reporter Scott Miller revealed that the Baltimore Orioles and Padres have been exploring a deal for Melvin Upton Jr.

Miller reports that discussions got pretty heavy early in the week, but have seem to cooled down at the moment. The Padres and Orioles were reportedly discussing the money owed Upton and how that would be split between the two teams. The Padres are surely looking for young talent in return and the quality of the prospect will probably be based on how much money they eat on Upton’s remaining contract. A recent report from Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles and Padres are discussing an Ubaldo Jimenz for Upton deal. Ubaldo is owed less money but he is only a shadow of his former self with a 7.38 ERA this season. Its unclear what that deal would entail in total.

Reports are the Padres are looking for a prospect in the deal because Ubaldo is such a risk while Upton is playing well. That is where the two teams are and who knows what could happen from here. Stay Tuned.

Sources: #Orioles discussing a trade in which they would acquire #Padres’ Melvin Upton Jr. for Ubaldo Jimenez.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 23, 2016

There are other teams that are surfacing as potential suitors for Upton as well. The Cleveland Indians could use him and some reports indicate the two sides have indeed discussed Upton as well. It comes as no surprise as Upton has shown a rare combination of speed and power this season. The Indians are serious contenders and could be prepared to pay the hefty price tag for a player of Upton’s ilk.

Melvin Upton has also played exceptional defense for the Padres. He would be a nice addition for a contending playoff team despite his contract. He is signed next season at $16.45-million and owed a little over $6-million this season for a grand total of $22.5 for the remainder of his contract. A hefty sum, but not all that cumbersome depending on the kind of production you get from the speedy outfielder. He is certainly producing at the moment.

Sources: Padres are telling teams they’re getting close to dealing Melvin Upton Jr. May ultimately be posturing, but that’s their tack now.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 23, 2016

Reports late Friday have the Padres really close to dealing Upton. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports is reporting this and it is not known if the team close to acquiring Upton is the Orioles or Indians. This could also be posturing by the Padres in a n attempt to drive up the asking price. Stay tuned as there will surely be more to this story very soon. The Padres are not messing around and unlike last year, they will be very active on the trade front.

You have to expect Upton, Andrew Cashner and Derek Norris to be dealt very soon. Also pitchers like Ryan Buchter and Brad Hand make sense as well if the Padres get what they want. If the Padres can maximize a players value and get a decent return for them, then they most certainly will. Especially with the young kids at triple-A playing so well. Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, Carlos Asuaje and Austin Hedges deserve a shot at the major league level.

Melvin Upton has been a pleasure to watch in a Padres uniform. He has turned his value around and looks to still have a decent major league career. At one point he was very close to being out of baseball. Ironically his over-inflated salary is what kept him in the major leagues. He has proven this year that his pay is justified and with that he should be solid for the remainder of his contract and beyond. We will see if the Padres can move him and what the return will be.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.