Baltimore Orioles Trade Rumors: Is Justin Upton Coming To Baltimore?
The Baltimore Orioles trade rumors have them as buyers and not sellers at the trade deadline, something that general manager Dan Duquette said would happen. The Orioles have been linked to Justin Upton, probably the biggest bat available on this year’s trade market. ESPN’s Jayson Stark tweeted on Monday that Baltimore could get Upton and a starting pitcher from the San Diego Padres.
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
If Baltimore is able to land Upton and either Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner, it could be just what they need to make a real push for the division lead.
Fox Sports reported earlier that the Orioles have been looking for an outfield bat for some time and have also checked in on Carlos Gomez of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Orioles have been using first baseman Chris Davis in the outfield recently, and although he has done a good job, he is a better fit at first. Baltimore has been searching all season long for an acceptable replacement for Nick Markakis and nelson Cruz who were both lost this past offseason.
Whatever moves the Orioles make or don’t make, they have some work to do to make the playoffs. Coming into Monday night’s action the Orioles are a game below .500 with a record of 48-49. They sit in third place in the American League East, seven games behind the front-running New York Yankees. They sit 3 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot, with the Toronto Blue Jays half a game ahead of Baltimore.
Upton is just a rental player since he will become a free agent after this season, so the cost shouldn’t be astronomical. If they add in Cashner or Ross, then the price will rise.
One thing the Orioles need to do is decide whether they are in or out. If they are in, they need to go all in because Davis and Matt Wieters will both be free agents after this season. If they don’t think they can make the playoffs, they need get something in return for both of these guys. As reported on here at the Inquisitr, 32 percent of the team’s roster will be eligible for free agency at the end of the year, so 2015 may be the time for Baltimore to go for it.
Do you think the Baltimore Orioles should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline? Who would you like the Orioles to go after?
[Image by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]
