Written by Mike Axisa at CBSSports.com
Padres outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. is on the move, but not to the AL East team we all expected.
The Padres traded the elder Upton brother and cash considerations to the Blue Jaysfor minor league righty Hansel Rodriguez, the team announced Tuesday morning. The Padres happen to be in Toronto playing the Blue Jays, so Upton only needs to change dugouts this week.
A few days ago it was rumored Upton would be heading to the Orioles for Ubaldo Jimenez and two prospects, though obviously that deal did not come together. The deal fell apart over the financials. The Blue Jays swooped in to to get him instead.
Upton, 31, is batting .256/.304/.439 (100 OPS+) with 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and 45 RBI in 92 games with San Diego this year. He’s spent time in all three outfield spots, though he has seen his most action in left. Upton has spent the majority of his career in center field.
Rodriguez, 19, has a 3.06 ERA with 26 walks and 11 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings this season. MLB.com ranked Rodriguez as Toronto’s 18th best prospect before the season and said the “right-hander’s arm strength offers plenty to dream on.”
This is certainly not the type of trade that will put the Blue Jays over the hump and make them AL East favorites, but Upton is an upgrade to their bench, and every little upgrade counts. Here are five things to know about the trade sending Upton to Toronto.
1. The Padres are eating some money
Upton is owed another $22 million through the end of next season as part of the original five-year, $72.25 million contract he signed with the Braves four years ago. The Padres are eating money to facilitate this trade.
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