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The Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres are close to a trade that would see the Padres sending outfielder Justin Upton to Baltimore, according to ESPN.com. There’s a possibility that Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner could be included in the trade.
Upton made his third All-Star team this season during his first season in San Diego. He has a meager .251 BA but has 16 HR, 50 RBI and 17 SB. He’s been battling an oblique injury though he has played through it in the outfield for the Padres anyway.
Sources: #Padres & #Orioles have discussed deal to send Justin Upton to Bal. Possibly could expand it to include SD starters (Ross/Cashner)
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 27, 2015
The Orioles would land one of the better outfielders in MLB if they could acquire Upton. Last season was his best throughout his nine-year career with three different teams when the 27-year-old slugged 29 HR with 102 RBI, .270 BA and .833 OPS. The outfielder could play all three positions on the grass, and the Orioles need help around Adam Jones.
Upton is a free agent at the conclusion of the season after he only signed a one-year deal for $14.5 million to go to San Diego. The team hasn’t lived up to its expectations, which means Upton is likely going to be gone. The question is, at what price?
Ross and Cashner are both starting pitchers in San Diego. Ross has had the better year of the two with a 6-8 record and a 3.45 ERA with 132 strikeouts. Cashner has a 4-10 record with a 3.93 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Ross’s contract runs through 2017 while Cashner’s last for another year. Both pitchers would add depth to a not-so-deep starting rotation in Baltimore.
The Orioles are 48-49 and trail for the second Wild Card spot by 3.5 games. They have a few teams to hop but the addition of Upton and one of the two starters could help Baltimore get over the hump and back into the postseason.
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