The San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves have talked about a potential trade involving outfielder Justin Upton, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Braves, Giants reportedly discussing Justin Upton trade
Upton would go a long way toward filling the hole in the Giants’ lineup left by the departure of Pablo Sandoval.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants will be missing considerable pop from their lineup after losing Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox via free agency, but it appears the team is working on a contingency plan. Upton, who posted a 132 OPS+ in 2014, would be a suitable replacement for Sandoval offensively. Perhaps to fill the hole left by Sandoval on defense, the Giants are also reportedly discussing third baseman Chris Johnson as part of the deal.
Johnson, who owned a career 108 OPS+ entering last season, slipped significantly in 2014. He hit just .263/.292/.361 and accompanied those struggles by finishing 13 runs below average in the field. That came after the Braves gave him a three-year, $23.5 million extension in May.
Upton is entering the final year of a six-year, $51.25 million deal. The 27-year-old, two-time silver slugger can block trades to four clubs, but the Giants aren’t one of them. Upton is a career .274/.354/.476 hitter and is a combined 12 runs above average in the field in part of eight big league seasons.
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