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So maybe the Arizona Diamondbacks are shopping Justin Upton after all?

According to a report by FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi, the D-backs (for now) right fielder blocked a trade that would have sent him to the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle is on the list of teams Upton can veto a trade to.

The D-Backs would have received a package of young talent from the Mariners, sources say, but the identity of the other players in the trade is not known.

Upton's rejection of the Mariners could be an attempt by him to leverage the Diamondbacks into sending him to a more preferred destination. The D-Backs, meanwhile, could be telling Upton that Seattle is his only option if he wants to leave Arizona, and for that reason it's always possible that a deal could revive.

Though Upton has been on the trade block for the better part of the last three years, this would seem to be the first time a deal was struck that would have sent him out of Arizona.

The 25-year-old Upton is coming off a season in which he hit .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI. It was a down year for both the player and his team. He is owed $38.5 million over the next three years, which is a reasonable rate given the production he can give a team.

However, many wonder why the Diamondbacks seem to be so set on trading the former number one pick. An MVP candidate just two seasons ago, it's possible Upton's best years are still ahead of him. Moving him now, before he even reaches his prime, could come back to haunt the Diamondbacks for years to come, regardless of what they get in return.

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  • Abuse
    ex-distancerunner wrote...
    I repeat
    I wish the D-backs would ban bubble gum in all it's forms on the D-backs bench.
  • Abuse
    1958468 wrote...
    What is Towers doing?
    If Kevin Towers didn't have a decent record as a GM in the past I'd be ready to call for his job. I don't know what he's trying to do except destroy a club. Trading away our best prospect for a midlevel ss prospect. And now trying to trade away a potential superstar for more relief pitchers and a different teams pitching prosepct. It better have been Walker involved in the trade.
  • Abuse
    Bob F. wrote...
    Ownership
    The front office of this team is a joke.
  • Abuse
    TrikShot wrote...
    Happened Before.
    I remember sending a player named Carlos Quinten to the Sox.. For nothing and how did that do? Dont trade our best player for prospects... Thinking Cardnials Brass.
  • Abuse
    Whatashame wrote...
    So Let Me See
    if I have this straight. Upton and his agent negotiated four(4) teams out of all of MLB that he could veto a trade to and had those terms put in his contract. So Towers, in all of his infinite wisdom, negotiates a trade with one of those four teams rather than one of the other twenty-six and lo and behold Upton vetoes it. Well now we have a player that is not only rumored to be on the block but who is basically told he is no longer wanted. How does he now come back? Towers strikes me as not all he was cracked up to be when brought onboard.
  • Abuse
    DZAZ99 wrote...
    I wouldn't be at all surprised...
    if this wasn't posturing for a different deal. Towers, knowing full well Upton will veto, negotiates a deal where we get back Franklin and 3-4 other top prospects for Upton. This sets the bar for other deals ("well, Seattle was prepared to offer us .."). Establishing value is something that needed to be done. If that's all this was done for, then it could play out nicely. If not, Towers looks like an idiot for negotiating with a team that Upton clearly doesn't want to go to/will block.
  • Abuse
    CEG10 wrote...
    DZAZ99 is on to something
    This sounds like more of the case. Towers needed to show the league that he was willing to pull the trigger. This should help open up the channels and let the other ballclubs know what it's going to take. I also wouldn't be shocked if we starting hearing the Yankees and Phillies stiring things up. At this point Upton has to go. LOOK, I GET IT! He is our only "Superstar" but if we don't think he projects to be consistent year in and year out, then let's sell him high. This is a business and he is a risky asset. Trust in Towers and Gibson! They know what they are doing.
  • Abuse
    PhoenixKittyCat wrote...
    Towers has made great moves
    It's funny to see comments on here like people actually know what was involved and apparently short memories. First, not to bag on this one, but how do you know Walker wasn't included? He was the rumored name earlier. Second, are you guys wondering "why Seattle" thinking a player has never been sent to a team listed on their no-trade? That is stupid, it's called leverage for the player. Finally, three names; Putz, Hernandez & Hill. All really good, to great, trades or signings. And Kubel was solid.
  • Abuse
    Whatashame wrote...
    I take back what I said.
    You guys are absolutely correct. In Whiz we Trust.
  • Abuse
    Think4URself wrote...
    Huh?
    I am tired of hearing 'potential superstar'. Mike Trout, is a 'potential' super star. He gave the Angels one hell of a year. When he backs that up with a couple more, then he will be a 'superstar'. J-Up has never once performed anywhere near what Mike Trout did last year. So, please refrain from calling a pretty good, but lazy ball player a 'potential' super star. Yeah, he might someday be a solid .290 /25 ball player with a WAR+3 or +4, but that isnt a superstar. A superstar is a +6, +7, +8...
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