Red Sox looking to trade market rather than free agency
According to latest reports the Boston Red Sox have inquired about acquiring Justin Upton from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, those reports do not say talks are advanced, rather that the Sox have made tentative contact with Arizona’s general manager Kevin Towers. The Diamondbacks, reportedly, haven’t shopped Upton around but are listening to offers for the 23-year-old.
Upton signed a six-year $51.25million contract earlier this year, an amount the Red Sox feel is reasonable for a young talent such as Upton who hit .273 with 17 homers, 69 RBIs and 18 steals in 133 games last season.
The outfielder was the first overall pick in 2005 and had a career year in 2009 when he hit 26 homers, drove in 86 runs and batted .300.
Elsewhere, the Florida Marlins finally traded second baseman Dan Uggla after what seems like more than a year of trade rumours.
The Marlins decided to trade their slugging second baseman to division rivals the Atlanta Braves for Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn.
Uggla is the only second baseman in history to have four 30-homer seasons with the Marlins and has decided to cash in after failing to agree on a long term deal with the 30-year-old.
"While I'm saddened to leave the Marlins family and thankful for all they did for me in my career, I'm certainly excited to join the Braves' organization," Uggla said.
Uggla is on course to make more than $10million via arbitration given his performances in recent seasons, but the Braves will more than likely work on signing Uggla to a contract extension. He rejected a four-year, $48 million contract offer from the Marlins earlier in the year and will be eligible for free agency after next season if he doesn’t agree to a deal with Atlanta.
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