Arizona Diamondbacks owner: Justin Upton not likely to be traded

Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton has been the subject of trade speculation for the better part of the last two years, and that’s not likely to change as the team heads into an offseason after what was undoubtedly a disappointing 2012 campaign.

It was disappointing for both the team and Upton, and many think a separation may be in the best interest of both parties.

Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick, as a guest of Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo, said that’s not exactly the case.

“I wouldn’t think necessarily that he is,” Kendrick said when asked if Upton is the bargaining chip the team will use to acquire a shortstop or third baseman. “I’m a big Justin guy and I think Justin, even in a down year, has made real significant contributions to this team.”

With one game left, Upton is hitting .276 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI, numbers that are below what he produced last season, and well below what many thought he’d put up this year.

Still, he is just 25 years old and is tied for third in baseball — and first in the National League — with 107 runs scored, so it’s not as if he’s had a completely unproductive campaign.

“Here’s a guy that even in a down year, he scored more runs than anybody in the National League,” Kendrick noted. “He makes our team go, and so I would think it’s highly likely we’ll see Justin Upton in a Diamondback uniform next year.”

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