Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Several teams want Braves castoff Melvin Upton Jr.

Melvin Upton Jr. of the San Diego Padres goes over the wall to take away a home run from J.J. Hardy #2 of the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Melvin Upton Jr. of the San Diego Padres goes over the wall to take away a home run from J.J. Hardy #2 of the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
By Staff reports
July 23, 2016

The Braves had a hard time finding anyone that wanted Melvin Upton Jr. and his huge contract 16 months ago.

They eventually had to include All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in a trade with the Padres just before the start of the 2015 season in order to part ways with the veteran outfielder.

But now teams are lining up trying to land Upton before the August 1 trade deadline. There are reports that at least two teams, the Orioles and Blue Jays, are trying hard to acquire Upton from San Diego.

Upton hit .184 and .208 in two seasons after signing with the Braves as a free agent.

But this season, the 31-year-old is batting .259 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and 20 stolen bases — numbers that would be welcome with the Braves. Freddie Freeman leads the Braves with 17 homers, Nick Markakis leads in RBIs with 48 and Mallex Smith leads in steals with 14.

Upton has one year remaining on his contract and will earn a base salary of more than $16 million in 2017.

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