Upton and Ellbury, IMO.
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Upton and Ellbury, IMO.
Imagine a scenario where the Reds FO was blabbing about selling off Bruce last season because he was struggling for a stretch and the team was down from the year before. Seems hard to imagine, really. I think Upton will breathe a sigh of relief wherever he goes next. The Dbacks are kind of full of themselves it appears. Every 6 months they're trying to offload one of the premier under 25 players because he's not Joey Votto or something.
x2
I can't imagine what a thread or poll would have looked like two months ago if you suggested Todd Frazier as the centerpiece for a Justin Upton trade.
Now people are hesitating at the thought?
I like what Todd has brought the last two months. However it is unlikely he will ever provide plus defense or maintain an OPS north of .850 or even .825 for that matter. Justin Upton is one of the best players in the game under the age of 25. He is two years younger than Frazier and has performed better in the majors over the last four years than Frazier has in the minors. He would be a plus defender in LF and he is under contract for 3 more years.
Most people on this board saw Frazier as a utility guy as recently as two months ago. Buy low and sell high, and I couldn't think of a better opportunity to do that if a deal like this is possible.
And I like Frazier.
I wonder if playing with Votto would increase Upton's drive to be better? Hmmm.
I just don't think that would be worth it for the Reds.. LF would be upgraded, but it blows a huge hole at 3b and SS (I am going to assume Rolen isn't going to get much healthlier this year)..
The Reds are kind of thin on ML quality position players now.. if they are going to upgrade an OF slot, I think it has to be by dealing prospects, not current starters (other than the OFer getting upgraded).
Edit, I realize Frasier is not a superstar.. but if he's traded, are you prepared to have Cairo and an ailing Rolen man 3b the rest of the year? It's a pretty big dropoff. The dropoff at SS would be even worse.
I don't think Upton is a big enough improvement over Ludwick to lose our SS and 3b (even though they aren't exactly stars)
Upton is a real upgrade in LF. Ludwick's OBP against righties the last two years is below .300. Ludwick has good power, but he's not in Upton's class.
I'd make this proposed deal. Ludwick then could be packaged in a deal to help cover SS and/or 3B along with Rolen, Valdez, possibly Janish, H Rod, whatever.
Would require more moves, would change the team a bit, but the offense needs the change.
Conflicting reports on how likely Upton to the Pirates is right now -- but the two teams seem to be actively engaged in talks as I write this:
Jayson Stark:
Jon Heyman:Quote:
#Pirates so serious about Justin Upton they're sending signals they could include Starling Marte in an Upton deal -- but not Cole or Taillon
Quote:
hearing theres "nothing serious'' w/ j. upton yet, & #pirates "probably not a fit.'' wont include taillon or cole. #dbacks