$13 millionThe wild and wacky Atlanta Braves offseason is taking another strange turn. In this excellent column by ESPN’s Jayson Stark, he reveals that the Braves have apparently told several teams interested in Justin Upton (Stark mentions the Padres, Reds, and Mariners as suitors) that they’ll need to also take Justin’s older brother B.J. (and presumably, the remaining three years and $46 million on his contract) in the deal as well.
The Braves were so desperate to get B.J. Upton off the books, in fact, that other teams say the team told Justin Upton suitors that to get Justin, they’d have to take both brothers in the same trade. But good luck on that, too.
So, there’s that. What’s the best way to eliminate most of the value you’d get in return for Justin Upton? By forcing a team to also acquire B.J. Upton.
Think of those three teams mentioned above – the Reds have Billy Hamilton in center, and Jay Bruce (owed through $24 million through 2016) in right. The Padres owe Cameron Maybin $16 million (at minimum) through 2016, Seth Smith $13 million (at minimum) through 2016, and Carlos Quentin $8 million (with a no-trade clause) through 2015. The Mariners don’t have any outfielders signed long-term, but no have Austin Jackson under team control through 2015 and the duo of Michael Saunders and Dustin Ackley under control through 2016.
Any of those teams would be fine bringing in one outfielder. But two in one deal, including one that is owed an incredible amount of money? It’ll be a miracle if Hart manages to move both Uptons and their contracts while receiving an acceptable return in the same trade.
[ESPN]
