According to Arizonadiamondbacks.com, General Manager Kevin Towers took the time Friday to approach the issue with Upton, and let him know that a move isn't close to being made.

"I said, 'Hey, this is no different than the way I approached it even before you got to know me in 2010. I listen on everybody,'" Towers said. "We're in the information gathering business. I said, 'If something gets close, you'll be a part of the process. I'm not going to shock you with something. If something is coming down and I think it's close, there will be a heads up.' I said, 'At this point in time, a lot of people are kicking tires. Your name is out there a lot, most of it is untrue.'"

The rumors escalated last week when Towers told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf that they weren't afraid to trade Upton.

Towers, however, stressed to Upton that right now he plays for the Diamondbacks; a team that is in the middle of a playoff hunt which relies significantly on his ability to rebound from a rough first half of the season.

"[I told him], 'I don't want that to be a distraction for you,'" Towers said. "'You're a big part of this club and we need you right now. If anything, you should look at it in a good way -- that people like you, not just the Diamondbacks, but you're perceived very well throughout baseball.'"

Towers has always been one to be willing to shop around towards the trade deadline, and has made clear that this year is no different.

With that said, putting Upton's name out to see who bites is a meticulous move but Towers' objective is to improve the team, not to trade Upton for the sake of the trade.