John Hart, the new president of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves, has committed to rebuilding the team. He already traded outfielder Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals and now looks to move Justin Upton as well.
The Texas Rangers reportedly inquired about Upton's availability because they've been interested in the outfielder in past seasons, but the Braves want a "huge haul in return," according to ESPN Insider Joe Kaiser. The Rangers would be willing to give up "big time prospects" for Upton, who would likely take over in left field.
Texas plans on moving Shin-Soo Choo to right field likely because of his recent slew of injuries and Upton would be a significant upgrade in left field, especially at only $14.5 million for 2015. He'll be a free agent after next season, but such a contract appeals to the Rangers because the financial commitment isn't a burden and they'd be able to add a piece to the team that can help them contend next year.
They're already stuck with the big contracts of Choo ($116 million through 2020), Prince Fielder ($114 million through 2020) and Elvis Andrus ($118 million through 2022). Upton would give them a much needed power bat in the middle of the order and at only 27 years old the Rangers could be interested in re-signing him after the season if he were to perform well.
Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels is perhaps planning for the immediate future with the potential acquisition of Upton because third baseman Adrian Beltre is signed on for $18 million in 2015. He has a $16 million vesting option for 2016 that would be fulfilled if he doesn't amass 1,200 plate appearances in 2014 and 2015 combined. He had 614 PAs in 2014, but if he were to somehow not reach 586 in 2015, then the team could void his contract in 2016 and make way for third baseman prospect Joey Gallo (.271/.394/.615 with 42 home runs and 106 RBIs in 126 games between advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco in 2014). Although Beltre has been great for Texas, he'll be turning 36 in April and Gallo is expected to make his major league debut in 2016. Combine that with signing Upton after a good year in 2015, then you're looking at a core that features Fielder, Andrus, Gallo, Upton, Choo and any others who may emerge.
They could also keep Beltre and put him at the designated hitter position for 2016 or leave him at third and move Gallo to some position in the outfield where they've been testing him this past minor league season. With the DH spot in the American League, the Rangers have a lot of flexibility.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Rangers are willing to trade any of their big name prospects except Gallo and catcher/first baseman Jorge Alfaro. They have a lot of middle infield talent, including Jurickson Profar, Rougned Odor, Luis Sardinas and Hanser Alberto, and the Braves are in need of a second baseman. But it all depends how much the Braves want in exchange for Upton to determine if the Rangers would be willing to budge.
"The Braves think Upton has greater value in the trade market [than Jason Heyward] because his overall offense - particularly his power - is superior," writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. "Upton hit 29 homers and Heyward 11. And Upton brings righty power, which is in particularly short demand."
