ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

MLB writer believes Diamondbacks will trade Justin Upton

Dec 6, 2012, 5:07 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm

MLB.com writer Richard Justice believes Justin Upton will be traded this off-season, though no acceptable deal has come across D-backs GM Kevin Towers’ desk.

Arguably the most talked about player during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, TN, Upton may very well be dealt over the next few weeks.

Or not.

Regardless, Justice said there is a belief that Upton, wherever he is, has some good years ahead of him.

“I tell you, baseball executives think he’s going to be, if not a superstar, a real big-time star over the next five years,” he told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf. That said, he understands why Arizona would consider dealing the former number one pick.

“So while you’re building a franchise, the Diamondbacks have all kinds of starting pitching, but they have other needs and if you can satisfy some of those needs you ought to be at least in a listening mode.”

Upton, who hit .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI last year, is an interesting player to try and project. He’s played in two All-Star games and is just one year removed from a season in which he garnered MVP consideration.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

3 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

6 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

7 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

8 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

9 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

9 hours ago

MLB writer believes Diamondbacks will trade Justin Upton