This afternoon, Melvin Upton Jr. will have to walk across from one dugout to another, as he joins the Toronto Blue Jays. His former team, the San Diego Padres, are currently in Toronto for a three game series.
The Blue Jays acquired Upton Jr. as insurance for their outfield, but I don’t really understand the move. The Blue Jays starting outfield is All-Star Michael Saunders, the powerful Jose Bautista, and the stellar defensive center fielder Kevin Pillar. I don’t see where Upton Jr. fits in there. Also, when I think of the Blue Jays, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely not, “boy, they need more offense.” If anything, they need more starting pitching and bullpen depth.
It was reported that the Baltimore Orioles were close to acquiring Upton Jr. in exchange for Ubaldo Jimenez and two prospects. As amazing as it would have been to trade Jimenez, as I detailed a few weeks ago https://sportswithbrian.comorioles-need-a-wake-up-call/, giving up two prospects for Upton Jr. would have been a bad move.
Like the Blue Jays, the Orioles don’t really need another outfielder. Adam Jones and Mark Trumbo hold down right and center field, and Hyun-Soo Kim returns tonight from the disabled list. Upton Jr. would provide nice depth for sure, but it would come at the expense of Kim, who would lose playing time. Kim provides exactly what the Orioles need. They already have plenty of power, so Kim’s ability to slash hits to any field and get on base is a perfect mix with all of the home runs in that Orioles lineup. The last thing the Orioles need is more swing-at-everything strikeout guys.
It’s a questionable move for the Blue Jays, but with Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, their two best players, becoming free agents next year, it does provide insurance if the Jays lose both. Look for the Blue Jays, Orioles, and many other teams to look for starting pitching in the coming days. If anything, this trade is just another sign that the trade deadline hot stove is heating up.