The Mariners' quest to improve their offense took a hit when Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton rejected a proposed deal recently that would have sent him to Seattle for a multi-player package.
But even after this, Upton appears a short-timer in Arizona.
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The deal would have sent three or four players back to Arizona, according to CBSSports.com sources. Included among those players would have been relievers Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor, minor-league shortstop Nick Franklin and, likely, one of three minor-league starting pitching prospects: Right-hander Taijuan Walker, lefty James Paxton or lefty Danny Hultzen. The clubs discussed the possibility of a second player accompanying Upton to Seattle in the deal. The identity of that player, believed to be a low level minor leaguer, is not known.