(SportsNetwork.com) – The San Diego Padres continued what has been a whirlwind
week on Friday, as they have apparently acquired outfielder Justin Upton from
the Atlanta Braves.
San Diego put the finishing touches on deals for both outfielder Matt Kemp and
catcher Derek Norris on Thursday, and are also working toward finalizing a
three-team trade that would net them 2013 American League Rookie of the Year
Wil Myers.
Now, according to multiple reports, they have picked up Upton. Although the
return is not yet known, minor league left-hander Max Fried is one name
rumored to be headed to Atlanta.
Upton, 27, won a Silver Slugger Award last season for the Braves, as he hit
.270 with a 29 home runs and improved upon his RBI total by 32, as he drove in
a career-best 102 runs over 154 games.
The first overall pick in the 2005 draft, Upton spent the first six years of
his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being dealt prior to the start
of the 2013 to Atlanta, where he spent the last two seasons playing alongside
his brother, B.J.
Upton is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to make $14.5
million in 2015 before becoming a free agent.
A two-time All-Star, Upton is a career .274 hitter with 164 home runs and 535
RBI in 1,034 games for the Diamondbacks and Braves.
