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listen Listen: Keith Law, ESPN MLB Insider
Law tells Doug & Wolf why he believes the D-backs lost the Justin Upton trade to the Braves.

After nearly three years of trade rumors, two-time All-Star Justin Upton was finally dealt by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a seven-player deal with the Atlanta Braves Thursday.

By now, just about everyone on both sides of the trade has had a chance to digest the news and evaluate whether or not their team on paper got the better end of the deal.

While the D-backs netted former All-Star Martin Prado, 22-year-old starting pitcher Randall Delgado and three prospects (Nike Ahmed, Zeke Spruill and Brandon Drury), one ESPN MLB insider thinks fans in the Valley ought to be disappointed with the Braves' package.

When asked by Arizona Sports 620's Doug & Wolf if Arizona fans should hate Thursday's blockbuster trade, Keith Law didn't flinch.

"Yeah if I were a D-backs fan absolutely," Law said. "They didn't get nearly enough in return."

Although general manager Kevin Towers gushed about the addition of Prado on Doug & Wolf earlier in the day -- referring to him as a grinder and a good clubhouse presence -- Law, who previously worked in the Toronto Blue Jays front office from 2002-2006, said that rarely should a deal be made on projected chemistry.

"My whole attitude on let's just say intangibles in general, if you can't measure them then you can't value them and you can't pay for them," said Law.

"The great middle here is the good clubhouse guy and the bad clubhouse guy. My answer has always been the same, it was the same when I was in the front office and it's the same now. How much is that worth?"

In the case of Upton, Law believes the issue is more or less irrelevant. After all, he points out that the right fielder's worth was only questioned after he struggled to put up power numbers in 2012.

Last season, Upton was expected to be an MVP candidate in the National League, but hit just .280 with 17 home runs, 67 RBI and 107 runs scored.

So following the trade, which Upton does Law expect we'll likely see in the coming years: the 2011 MVP candidate (.288 batting average, 31 home runs and 88 RBI) or the 2012 underachiever?

"I think he got close (to his potential) two seasons ago," said Law. "And I would love to go back and have a do-over of the 2012 season where he doesn't hurt his thumb like he did against (the Giants). Because if you look at his performance in 2012 it had quite a bit in common with the year before.

"He hit for similar average, similar on-base percentage. What was gone was all the power. And I think he did try to make some adjustments for the worst."

While Law admitted that it's probably too early to speculate on which team got the most out of the deal, he believes the D-backs sold themselves short in their underselling of Upton.

"Here, I don't think the (D-backs) got near enough," said Law. "It may be that they just ran him down so much. Or, it may be also be because they're looking at him and saying 'He's never going to be the 2011 version again, not here, not in this environment and not the way we are trying to construct this club.'"

Although Towers and Co. might not have envisioned Upton reaching his superstar potential in a D-backs uniform, Law said he projects that the 25-year-old has all of the tools to get there in Atlanta.

"I think he's going to be back where he was two years ago if not better," said Law. "Where he's playing great defense, he's hitting 30-plus home runs, he's getting on base to the .360 or .370 clip, maybe even a little more and ending up on MVP ballots.

"He may not be the best player in the league at any specific point, but my bet is he's in that discussion when we're talking about the top five or six position players in the National League."

Dave Dulberg, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

12 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Supa-main wrote...
    He is right
    We didn't get sufficient value for a perennial Allstar. This makes me sick
  • Abuse
    DZAZ99 wrote...
    Perennial all star?
    Two out of five seasons is perennial? Hmm...they must have changed the definition.
  • Abuse
    movingaz wrote...
    Upton over Rated
    Most Arizona people know that Upton is not a good fielder and an inconsistent hitter. If you look at Prado's numbers hitting wise they are better than Upton. Prado last year .301 average. Upton .280. Prado doubles 42. Upton 24. Prado can play outfield 3rd and 2nd. Prado is a smarter player overall. Too many people buying into the hype of Justin Upton. The number's don't lie.
  • Abuse
    Joe1013e wrote...
    Keith Law
    Get bent. You're the same moron that left Ian Kennedy off your Cy Young ballot because of the outfield behind him. I'm not mad about this trade. I'm okay with it. The D-Backs we never going to get a Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, David Price, etc for Upton. These ideas of "promise", "potential" are falsehoods.
  • Abuse
    ex-distancerunner wrote...
    I think to be honest Upton wanted it
    if he would have had one more mediocre year, his value would have plumetted. I think one of the great things about the free agency back and forth and the big money is that we can finally drop the pretense that between fans and players there is actually something called loyalty. Both sides are now free from that notion and can now just love "the game" for the game whoever wears the d-back logo..... Go Coyotes against LA this Saturday!!!!!
  • Abuse
    adcoop22 wrote...
    Nobody Saw It
    We weren't supposed to field much of a team 2 years ago, but then we made the playoffs. I still think we have one of the most promising rotations in baseball with a great bullpen to back it. No we are getting a perennial (not like perennial to Supa-man) .300+ hitter and have a much better hitting outfield. If Miggy, Goldie, and Hill can stay status quo, things are still looking up.
  • Abuse
    sayswho wrote...
    Another MLB "insider"
    Who has an opinion. Is he right? Is he wrong? Only time will tell. Almost every player/coach/manager ever interviewed has spoken of the importance of 'the intangibles' and "team chemistry. Either you loved JUP or you hated him. But my impression of what KT DIDN'T say today was that Justin probably asked to be traded. And how many HOF'er were never traded. It was probably his time to move on. And probably best for all concerned.
  • Abuse
    JoeMedal wrote...
    Facts are Facts
    Upton was highly rated out of high school. He was rushed to the big leagues. Put up "okay" numbers. Hasn't really shown any growth. Only hit .300 once and that's because the manager pulled him after getting one hit in the last game of the season. His attitude has been questioned a lot. Finally, and most importantly, he ASKED to be traded. All that adds up to a good trade in my book. He's the Michael Beasley of MLB (I'm dead serious, too). He will show flashes of living up to his potential, but then become mediocre the next second.
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    I guess
    Keith Law didn't factor in the our supposed Super Star has failed his 100 RBI's in any of his 5+ seasons in the Majors. Dude is an above average ballplayer at best right now, so whether or not he pans out is up to him. He lacks the killer instinct that great ballplayers have. We wish him the best & we'll move on our team improved.
  • Abuse
    CopperMiner wrote...
    I don't like Keith Law but...
    I think he may be right. Let's keep on relying on rookies and prospects to play starting roles instead of keeping and developing our players. Hasn't worked much. Upton is 25, too early to trade him, especially w/this deal. Looks like D'backs games this year will put me right to sleep...
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