PHOENIX — The Braves want to trade B.J. Upton but know it might be impossible unless he makes some progress in 2015, and the center fielder has told them he's ready to work with new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and make adjustments.
But they won’t give up trying to trade him anytime soon.
The Braves would like to get out from under at least part of the approximate $46 million they owe Upton over the next three seasons by including him in a deal for a player that other teams want, such as slugger Evan Gattis. A scout from one American League said Tuesday that his team would love to have Gattis but wouldn’t consider taking on B.J. Upton or any part of his contract.
In two seasons with the Braves, Upton has hit .198 with 21 homers, 61 RBIs, a .279 OBP and a .593 OPS, and had a franchise-record 173 strikeouts in 519 at-bats in 2014.
“It’s been a complete collapse offensively,” said John Hart, the Braves’ new president of baseball operations.
Barring a trade, Hart hopes Seitzer can get through to Upton and help him get his career back on course, something that former hitting coach Greg Walker wasn’t able to do despite repeated efforts.
Hart, who replaced fired GM Frank Wren, said he came away encouraged by Upton’s attitude after spending most of a day with him last month in Tampa, where Upton lives.
“You look at it on the positive side — B.J.’s still 30 years old. He’s in incredible shape,” Hart said. “I’ve visited with him; we’ve had meetings. He is absolutely game-on with making some adjustments. I think that’s a big part of it, too. This is a player that, although he’s got his contract, he’s not happy. He’s not happy with what has happened, and I think that’s a big part if you’re going to make a change and make an adjustment.
“We’re certainly going in with both eyes open that, you know, how much of an adjustment can he make? How long will it take? But I’m an optimistic guy, glass half-full, so we’re going to give it a try.”
Hart said he asked Upton, “If we get the right guy (as hitting coach) and put you together, are you willing to make some adjustments? (He said) ‘Yes.’ OK, let’s try it.”
The Braves mid-market payroll is constrained in part by money theyowe Upton and Dan Uggla, who they released last summer and still owe $13 million in 2015.
“You don’t have a big war chest, you’re wearing some contracts you’re not happy with and you’ve got to go out into the free-agent market to solve your pitching problems, because you don’t have the upper-level (minor league) pitchers ready to pitch,” Hart said. “That’s sort of the thing that we’re wrestling with probably as much as anything. I really like the club; there’s a lot to like. But there’s some holes and we’re going to have to be very creative in how we feel them.”
