Justin Upton Trade: Diamondbacks Star Joins Brother B.J. In Atlanta
Justin Upton has been traded to the Atlanta Braves.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Upton was dealt by the Diamondbacks to the Braves in a seven player trade. The Braves will get Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson. Martin Prado, as well as prospects Randall Delgado, Nick Ahmed, Zeke Spruill and Brandon Drury will head to the Diamondbacks.
Upton will join his brother B.J. Upton in the outfield with Jason Heyward for the Braves.
USA Today reports that Upton led the Diamondbacks to the NL West title in 2011 with 88 RBIs and 31 homeruns but his performance this year wasn’t great. Upton only hit 17 homeruns in 2012 and was inconsistent at the plate.
Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said last Summer:
“He’s certainly not the Justin Upton that he has been in the past and that we would expect of him. He’s 24 years old, and it’s time for him to be a consistent performer. Right now this year he’s not been that.”
The Diamondbacks tried to trade Upton to the Mariners earlier in 2011 but the deal was rejected by Upton. During the latest negotiations, Upton also said that he would not accept a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox or Chicago Cubs. When the Diamondbacks started talking to the Braves, Upton got excited to play next to his brother in the major leagues.
Upton wrote on Twitter:
Wow these @jus10up10 rumors have me excited. Please don’t tease me like this… Would be a dream come true if it happens
— BJ Upton (@BJUPTON2) January 23, 2013
What do you think of the Justin Upton trade?
