MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Passing on Trade Pursuit of Justin Upton
January 13, 2013 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
One of the most frequently mentioned names on the trading block this winter has been Justin Upton.
The Arizona Diamondbacks slugger has another three years left on his current deal, and the team would love to move him and his salary.
However, according to Jon-Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, it looks like the New York Yankees won’t be one of the teams that will pursue the 25-year-old.
Justin Upton would be a great fit for the Yankees. Too bad they’re apparently out of money. My story here: @mlbonfoxmsn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-…
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 13, 2013
Morosi cites that the Yankees’ self-mandated $189 million payroll goal for 2014 has limited the team from making franchise-altering moves, such as a trade for Upton.
Upton’s trade value is very high despite having what was considered a down season in 2012, hitting .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI.
Upton was nearly dealt to the Seattle Mariners last week, but as part of his limited no-trade clause, Upton rejected the deal.
The Yankees are not on the list of teams that are in Upton’s no-trade clause, so if Arizona and the Yankees were to ever work out a deal, he couldn’t reject it like he did with the Mariners deal.
But it looks like right now, that doesn’t even matter because the Yankees aren’t spending or adding any big money to their payroll.
Upton still has another three years and $38.5 million left on his remaining deal, and while the Yankees aren’t looking to trade for him, teams like the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Texas Rangers could be potential trade destinations, according to Morosi.
Upton makes a ton of sense for a Yankees lineup that is up there in age, and they could even make it work if they traded Curtis Granderson, who is in the final year of his contract.
It’s a shame that the Yankees won’t attempt to make Upton their blockbuster move of the winter because they have essentially become penny pinchers.
I know there were a lot of you fans out there who had a lot of hopes for the Yankees landing Upton this winter, but it looks like that isn’t happening before the 2013 season.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
