MLB insider: D-backs will trade Upton because GM doesn’t like him

Former MLB scout and current ESPN MLB insider Keith Law
thinks the Arizona Diamondbacks are going to trade Justin
Upton.

“I think they are very strongly motivated to trade him,
and I just get the sense that Kevin Towers doesn’t like
him,” he told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Tuesday.
“Not even just as a player, but there’s something about
Upton’s personality or demeanor that Towers just doesn’t
like.”

Law, though, is surprised the D-backs are even
entertaining the idea of moving Upton, who was fourth in
the NL MVP voting just last season and is under contract
at a reasonable salary the next few seasons.

“Unless you believe there is something seriously wrong
with his makeup — which, personally, I doubt — why
wouldn’t you want him,” Law asked. “What team wouldn’t
want a Justin Upton?”

From some accounts, the team that currently has him, and
Law thinks the team is going about this whole process the
wrong way.

“I’m not really sure if the Diamondbacks are properly
valuing Upton by making it so clear that they’re not just
willing to trade him, but interested in doing so sooner
rather than later,” he added.

Law said he feels Upton’s struggles should be attributed
to the regular struggles players tend to go through with
their timing rather than an issue with his effort or work
ethic, which means he could fix things at a moment’s
notice and “turn into the monster-type of player that we
saw last year.”

“It’s not work ethic, it’s not make-up, but it is
something that becomes an added responsibility for the
coaching staff to identify when that’s happening and to be
able to fix it,” Law said.

You have to think if the D-backs could figure that out
they would, because that seems like a much better option
than trading him. However, until Upton turns things around
he’s just a disappointing player in what has been a very
disappointing season.

Which is why, perhaps, while the team knows Upton could
very well fulfill his incredible potential, the .271
average he entered Tuesday with to go along with just
seven home runs and 38 RBI are something they’re
interested in just moving on from.

Thing is, Law believes Upton will return to form
and be the player who was an MVP candidate in 2011,
whether it be this season or sometime over the next few.
Because, he said, hitters tend to peak in their late 20s,
which means Upton has not-yet reached his prime.

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