SB Nation Arizona - Diamondbacks trade rumors: Arizona reportedly shopping Justin Upton, Trevor Bauerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2013-01-04T13:30:20-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33800232013-01-04T13:30:20-07:002013-01-04T13:30:20-07:00Jason Kubel expects to remain a D-back
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<figcaption>Dustin Bradford</figcaption>
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<p>Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel doesn't seem too phased by all the trade talk lately.</p> <p><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> outfielder <span>Jason Kubel</span> isn't deaf to all the trade rumors, but he still expects to be in Arizona for the start of next season, <a target="_blank" href="http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130103&content_id=40841072&vkey=news_ari&c_id=ari">according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. </a></p>
<p>Here's what he told Gilbert about the possibility of being moved:</p>
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<p>"If something happens, it happens, but I'm looking forward to getting back to that beautiful facility again and start going."</p>
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<p>Despite the posturing, Kubel went on to add that the rumors are a bit "nerve-wracking" before sharing he'd prefer to say a D-back if at all possible.</p>
<p>Still, as most Arizona fans know by now, an outfielder is likely to go following the signing of <span>Cody Ross</span>. And unless GM Kevin Towers gets blown away by a deal for <span>Justin Upton</span>, Kubel seems like the most obvious candidate to be flipped.</p>
<p>As Gilbert points out, Towers already claimed that he doesn't exactly feel forced to make a move after the addition of Ross but with Arizona's payroll sitting at $95 million, a high-priced four-man outfield seems like a bit of luxury.</p>
<p>Kubel had 30 home runs and 90 RBI last season to go along with a .253/.327/.506 line.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2013/1/4/3836498/jason-kubel-arizona-diamondbacks-2013Cody Ulm2012-12-28T13:30:12-07:002012-12-28T13:30:12-07:00'Someone to go' following Cody Ross acquisition
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Justin Upton seems to be the most logical candidate to be flipped after the strange signing of Cody Ross. </p> <p>A source familiar with <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> GM Kevin Towers' thinking claims that "someone will go" following Arizona's acquisition of <span>Cody Ross</span>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/21460261/justin-upton-appears-back-in-play-after-cody-ross-signing">according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. </a></p>
<p>And by Heyman's math, that someone very well could be <span>Justin Upton</span>.</p>
<p>Heyman concludes that the D-backs are unlikely to move fellow outfielder <span>Gerardo Parra</span> because they're a fan of his defense. And with Adam Eaton being cheaply under team control for the immediate future, that leave Upton and <span>Jason Kubel</span> as the "two prime candidates to be traded."</p>
<p>Heyman also adds that Arizona "couldn't expect an enormous return for Kubel." So if they're looking to legitimately upgrade another aspect of their team, it makes the most sense to move the hottest commodity (a.k.a. the 25-year-old potential-drenched Upton).</p>
<p>Then again, it's pretty unclear what is even left to upgrade for the D-backs. As Heyman points out, Towers had been trying to move Upton for a shortstop of the future but that position has already been filled with the acquisition of Didi Gregorius. Likewise, Arizona has already has a well-rounded rotation after signing <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> and it's not as if their bullpen is lacking after tossing <span>Heath Bell</span>, <span>Tony Sipp</span> and <span>Matt Reynolds</span> into the mix.</p>
<p>When you take all into consideration, Ross' signing easily shapes up to be the oddest signing of the 2012 offseason.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/28/3812418/justin-upton-trade-rumors-arizona-diamondbacksCody Ulm2012-12-27T13:35:35-07:002012-12-27T13:35:35-07:00Kevin Towers 'smarter than the so-called experts'
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<p>Before you jump on the Kevin Towers hate train, you need to read this interview. </p> <p>Although the rest of the world might not necessarily agree, Fangraphs' David Laurila went out of his way earlier in the week to remind fans that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> GM Kevin Towers is <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/qa-kevin-towers-diamondbacks-gm/" target="_blank">"smarter than the so-called experts." </a></p>
<p>Towers has been receiving his fair share of criticism from media analysts lately after he traded highly-touted pitching prospect <span>Trevor Bauer</span> and two relievers for a haul of SS Didi Gregorius, 1B <span>Lars Anderson</span> and RP <span>Tony Sipp</span>. But while that return may seem underwhelming to most, Laurila points out that Towers knows what he's doing when it comes to pitchers. Here's an excerpt on the subject from Towers' recent interview with Laurila about how the veteran executive uses his time as a scout to make personnel decisions:</p>
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<p>"I think that's probably my greatest strength. I came up in the game as an evaluator, specifically on pitching. I've always felt I was a better evaluator of pitchers than position players, not only as an amateur, but as a major-league executive and as a scouting director.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>It's always nice to lay your eyes on them. Ideally, it's in person, but if not, at least on video to get an idea of their mechanics. You want the entire picture, so you need to talk to people who have maybe coached the player. The intangibles the players' possess are important. Makeup, character, aptitude. Are they able to apply the instruction that has been conveyed to them? A lot of things all go into the decision-making process."</p>
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<p>A quote like that supports the theory that Towers might not have been a fan <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20194651" target="_blank">Bauer's extravagant warm-up routine. </a>Furthermore, Towers very well could have been hinting that he saw something in Bauer that he found concerning towards his long-term prospects in the majors.</p>
<p>Towers goes on to share how he believes that bullpen arms and middle infielders are more important than ever and how he knows that "sometimes you have to overpay" for shortstop talent due to the overall position scarcity. </p>
<p>To read the fantastic interview in its entirety, <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/qa-kevin-towers-diamondbacks-gm/" target="_blank">follow this link. </a></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/27/3808984/kevin-towers-arizona-diamondbacksCody Ulm2012-12-11T20:29:40-07:002012-12-11T20:29:40-07:00Justin Upton staying put
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Trade talks for the Diamondbacks outfielder have stalled and now general manager Kevin Towers says Justin Upton isn't going anywhere,</p> <p>For the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>, each offseason has one similarity - the topic of <span>Justin Upton</span> being traded and then Justin Upton being pulled of the table.</p>
<p>After the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> reportedly put together a package to land the talented outfielder, the Diamondbacks were quick to refute. Now, general manager Kevin Towers said Upton is most likely not going to move.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Dbacks">#Dbacks</a> Upton almost certain not to move now, GM Towers said.</p>
— Jack Magruder (@JackMagruder) <a data-datetime="2012-12-12T02:56:26+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/JackMagruder/status/278694773244690432">December 12, 2012</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/277588645064626176" target="_blank">Ken Rosenthal said</a> the Rangers were more aggressively pursuing Upton after losing out on Zack Grienke, but weren't willing to part with <span>Elvis Andrus</span> - said to be high on the Diamondbacks wish list. Due to a lot of attractive options, Towers can also command a treasure-trove haul in a trade for Upton.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Dbacks">#Dbacks</a> Towers says he has not heard a deal with Upton that makes them a better team and he doesn't think that's going to happen.</p>
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/278694563491749890" data-datetime="2012-12-12T02:55:36+00:00">December 12, 2012</a>
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<p>Just 25 years old, Upton is a prime candidate for a lot of teams looking to make a splash because he has the talent (fourth in NL MVP voting in 2011) that comes with a bargain deal nowadays ($38.5 million over the next three years).</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/11/3757270/justin-upton-trade-rumors-outfielder-not-going-anywherePeter Woodbrook2012-12-09T10:35:36-07:002012-12-09T10:35:36-07:00Upton was not headed to Texas despite reports
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>One report had Justin Upton heading to the Texas Rangers, while a conflicting source said the deal never got close. </p> <p>The trade speculation surrounding <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> outfielder <span>Justin Upton</span> has engulfed the team. The team is clearly shopping him, but the rumors of where, for whom and when are running all over the gamut. The rumors hit a head with a report that the <a href="http://arizonasports.com/42/1593807/Gambo-Dbacks-never-close-to-trading-Upton-to-Texas">Texas Rangers had possibly put together a package to land him</a>.</p>
<p>Competing tweets from <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/277101934966616064">MLB Network's Peter Gammons</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Gambo620/status/277234511530577920">Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro </a>spoke to this back-and-forth.</p>
<p>Gammons tweeted that he saw a <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> official telling an official for the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> that Upton was indeed headed to Texas. But Gambadoro responded with a tweet saying that the reports of the Diamondbacks even coming close to trading Upton to Texas were false.</p>
<p>There are <a href="http://arizonasports.com/42/1593807/Gambo-Dbacks-never-close-to-trading-Upton-to-Texas">players Arizona would be interested in from Texas</a>, including shortstops <span>Elvis Andrus</span> and <span>Jurickson Profar</span>, but a deal involving them is unlikely at this point. As it stands, Upton is still in limbo as the rumors will continue to swirl.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/9/3747032/mlb-trade-rumors-dbacks-justin-uptonRonald Clark2012-12-07T13:23:43-07:002012-12-07T13:23:43-07:00D-backs add RHP Starlin Peralta in Rule 5 Draft
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<p>The Diamondbacks continued to add bullpen pieces Thursday when they took a chance on right hander Starlin Peralta in the Rule 5 Draft.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> decided to roll the dice on right-handed pitcher Starlin Peralta Thursday after selecting him from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> system with the 14th pick in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft.</p>
<p>Peralta, 22, made 20 appearances for Single-A Peoria this past season with 17 starts, a 5-8 record and a 3.44 ERA across 99<span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.8995615604001932">⅓</span> innings. Here is what <a href="http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121206&content_id=40552594&vkey=news_ari&c_id=ari" target="_blank">Diamondbacks farm director Mike Bell </a>had to say about the acquisition:</p>
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<p>"He's got a big arm ... We got a lot of good grades on him. You look at his numbers and I don't know if they'll jump out at you right away in [low Class A], but he's a guy with a lot of potential, a lot of upside and we'll get him into camp and see what he looks like."</p>
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<p>The D-backs will now have to keep him on their Major League roster throughout the 2013 season or he will be offered back to Chicago for half of the $50,000 price tag Arizona paid for him. It is also always possible that the teams work out a trade for Peralta, which would allow the Diamondbacks to send him to the minors.</p>
<p>But while they may have gained a potential reliever, the D-backs also lost an outfielder, <span>Ender Inciarte</span>, to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>. Inciarte, 22, hit .307 with 82 runs and 46 stolen bases across two levels of A ball in 2012.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/7/3741042/mlb-dbacks-rule-5-draftCody Ulm2012-12-04T20:38:28-07:002012-12-04T20:38:28-07:00Indians pursuing Justin Upton?
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<p>Will the Cleveland Indians go after Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Justin Upton?</p> <p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/eye-on-baseball/21263690/justin-upton-talks-continue-diamondbacks-seeking-shortstop" target="_blank">Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Diamondbacks are looking to acquire a shortstop </a>in return for <span>Justin Upton</span>.</p>
<p>There are several players they like, including <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> of the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a>, <span>Elvis Andrus</span> and <span>Jurickson Profar</span> of the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>, and <span>Andrelton Simmons</span> of the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a>. The Braves and the Rangers seem unwilling to part with their players, leaving Cabrera as the only active face who might be on the market. The Indians <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/mlb-rumors/21262044/report-indians-looking-for-three-to-four-players-for-asdrubal-cabrera" target="_blank">are reportedly dangling Cabrera out there for all suitors to check out</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/8704651/the-mets-indians-deal-which-define-their-direction-mlb" target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://%20http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/8704651/the-mets-indians-deal-which-define-their-direction-mlb">Buster Olney has more</a>.</p>
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<p>If the Indians go-all in on their rebuilding, it's possible they can extract pitching from a team such as the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a> or <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a>. They're not going to win with the pitching they have; they need to get it, which is why they've asked for a ton in return for Cabrera, in the eyes of rival evaluators.</p>
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<p>The 25-year-old Upton hit .280/.355/.430, knocking in 17 home runs and driving in 67 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases and 107 runs, but it was a down year from his 2011 production, where he finished fourth overall in the National League MVP voting in leading the Diamondbacks to an NL West title.</p>
<p>Another possibility <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/393034/jason-kubel" target="_blank">the Diamondbacks are shopping around is Jason Kubel, </a>but Upton will definitely attract far more value on the market. Upton is currently in the middle of a six-year, $50 million deal that expires after 2015.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/4/3729808/mlb-hot-stove-dbacks-indians-justin-uptonAvinash Kunnath2012-12-04T15:09:20-07:002012-12-04T15:09:20-07:00Justin Upton, Cliff Lee trade reportedly discussed
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<p>ESPN reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are discussing a trade involving outfielder Justin Upton and pitcher Cliff Lee.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> and <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a> are in discussions to make a trade involving outfielder <span>Justin Upton</span> and pitcher <span>Cliff Lee</span>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/pedrogomezESPN/status/276078386198228993">ESPN's Pedro Gomez is reporting</a>.</p>
<p>Such a move would also include the Diamondbacks receiving cash, Gomez added. That would help Arizona deal with Lee's hefty salary, worth $87.5 million over the next three seasons.</p>
<p>Yahoo!'s Jeff Passan reports that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/276082070189637633">his sources said there weren't active talks </a>between the two teams involving Upton and Lee. Passan said that Arizona is still searching through a bevvy of three- and four-team trades to acquire a shortstop for Upton, who has been shopped around the last few seasons.</p>
<p>The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro also reports that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/nickpiecoro/status/276082241388552192">the rumor is "off base."</a></p>
<p>Lee struggled last season for the Phillies, going 6-9 on the year with a 3.16 ERA. The 34-year-old was a Cy Young Award winner in 2008.</p>
<p>Upton, 25, had an underwhelming year himself, batting .280 to go with 17 home runs and 67 RBI for an Arizona club that likewise underachieved.</p>
<p>While it's difficult what to make of the Upton and Lee reports, it's clear the Diamondbacks are talking with other teams about Upton much more actively than they have in the past. On Monday, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/275832798638661632">CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported</a> the Diamondbacks and <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a> met to discuss an Upton trade.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/12/4/3728558/mlb-rumors-justin-upton-cliff-lee-phillies-diamondbacksKevin Zimmerman