Yankees Trade Rumors: Chasing Justin Upton Is a Waste of Time for Bronx Bombers
July 11, 2012 · Ben Chodos · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly making star right fielder Justin Upton available, but the New York Yankees have no shot at landing the two-time All-Star.
The Arizona Rebublic’s Nick Piecoro reported that general managers across the league believe the D-Backs are willing to pull the trigger on a deal involving Upton. The article quotes Arizona GM Kevin Towers as saying, “My job is to try to make this club better. We’re not out shopping him by any means. Clubs have asked; I’ve said, ‘Hey, tell me what you would do.’ We could either say yes or say no.”
ESPN’s Buster Olney noted via Twitter that Upton’s contract would allow him to block any trade involving the Yankees:
By the way: Upton’s limited no-trade clause blocks deals to a handful of big-market teams, including the Yankees.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 11, 2012
A limited no-trade clause allows a player to specify certain teams, forcing his ballclub to get permission before sending him to any of the chosen destinations. This is the mechanism that Carlos Lee used to block a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season.
Arizona drafted Upton with the first overall pick in 2005, and he made his major league debut in 2007.
In 2009, the talent that made him a top prospect was completely evident. He batted .300 with a .366 on-base percentage and 27 home runs, earning his first All-Star selection.
He made his second trip to the All-Star game last season and finished the year with .289 batting average, a .369 on-base percentage and 31 home runs.
At just 24 years old, Upton is already a top player, and he will continue to get better. However, he has not played as well this season. In his blog, Olney speculates that Arizona may be worried over a chronic shoulder problem caused by an injury earlier in Upton’s career.
While the potential complications with Upton’s limited no-trade clause and the possibility of serious injury problems should be enough to keep the Yankees away, the Diamondbacks’ asking price will ensure that New York is not involved with any deal involving the right fielder.
Towers firmly stated that minor leaguers would not be enough for him to part ways with Upton, via Piecoro’s report: “We’re not looking for prospects. We’re still in win mode. We’re certainly not in sell mode at all,” the Arizona general manager said.
The Yankees currently have the best record in baseball and just had four players selected for the All-Star game. There is no reason that Brian Cashman should send players from his team away in order to get Upton.
There are far too many obstacles to get over for any deal involving Upton to get done. The Yankees should not waste their time.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
