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D-backs GM Kevin Towers told one CBS MLB Insider that he won't take less than the package he would have received from the Mariners for Justin Upton (AP File Photo).
Not so fast Justin Upton suitors.

If the two-time All-Star is to change uniforms before spring training begins in less than two months, the bar has been set pretty high.

According to CBS MLB Insider Jon Heyman, D-backs general manager Kevin Towers will not be "taking less" than the package he would have received from the Seattle Mariners had Upton approved the deal.

Upton has been on the block a few times over the past two-plus years, the Diamondbacks have an excess of very good outfielders after signing free agent Cody Ross, and while folks on other teams wonder now whether Arizona likes Upton as much as other teams do, Towers pointed out that was the only trade he agreed to involving the former No. 1 pick in all this time.

Towers also said owner Ken Kendrick is "fine" with them keeping all their outfielders. Kendrick expressed a strong affinity for Upton in this space a couple months ago, though he's obviously leaving the call up to Towers.

If the call is up to Towers, teams will have to basically give up an arm and a leg to acquire Upton at this point.

In the deal the right fielder vetoed Thursday, the Mariners were willing to part with relievers Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor, minor-league shortstop Nick Franklin and top prospect Taijuan Walker.

While Heyman cited that many executives around the league called the proposed deal rather one-sided in favor of the D-backs, Arizona's GM had a different take of his negotiations with the Mariners.

Towers suggested the Seattle deal, which got a lot of attention around baseball as a rather large package, should be looked at as the baseline for another deal, not the ceiling.

5 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    DZAZ99 wrote...
    Said it from the beginning...
    ..it was known that Upton would reject the trade, so this becomes nothing but collusion to set a price tag. Very transparent.
  • Abuse
    Whatashame wrote...
    He'll take what he can get
    or risk Upton being a clubhouse cancer next season. What a joke this team has become.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    Dbacks have themselves to blame
    for this mess. Their passive agressive treatment of Upton has led to this. And now that they've showed their hand to the league, it's going to be tough to match even that mediocre Seattle deal.
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    Whhaaattttt
    Are you guys whining about? J-Up hasn't really done anything in this game so far. Yes he has the potential but does he have the drive to do it? There are a ton of athletes who never pan out & a ton more who are just average ball players. There is nothing wrong with that but you cannot pay top dollar to a guy with potential as it is a results driven league.
  • Abuse
    Craig S. wrote...
    top dollar to average player
    Right on Target WHAAAATTTT.. Justin has been payed from the start, but has never been more than "good". He needs to break out and be a leader, as he's not "the kid" anymore. I really want to see him do it.
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