Justin Upton used his no-trade clause in his contract to nix a trade to the Mariners. This shows that the D-backs are willing to trade Justin, contrary to their GM's previous denial. So now the Mariners are talking to the Marlins about trading for Stanton.

Since the Rays need a RH hitting OFer, where is Friedman in trying to trade for Juston or Stanton?

Ofcourse, I prefer Stanton, but I'll take Justin. It's time for the Rays to get more proactive on improving offense.

Justin Upton wouldn't last in TB under the shadow of his brothers accomplishments..Then again..

We already have one-third of a brother act on this team. We don't need to do another one.

trouble is I think the brothers Molina are certainly better..But Justin must have baggage if the Diamondbacks want to get rid of him..

You know, for the most part, apples from the same tree probably aren't going to taste much different ... although Jose was never as good as his two brothers.

You may be right on "Upton baggage" ... but ... Justin is also in the last three years of a contract calling for salaries of $9.75 million, $14.25 million and $14.50 million ... and ... realistically ... as is the case with his brother .... I don't think what he brings to the game is worth that much money ... ESPECIALLY among the smaller-market, lower-budget teams. So, frankly, I don't see what Seattle ... or many other small market teams (including the Rays) ... might see in him that makes those kinds of salaries worth it!

(H*ll, even B.J.'s contract with Atlanta is, I believe, the biggest bucks contract that the Braves have EVER given anyone ??? And ... I don't think B.J. is worth that kind of money, either. Just more hype ... and, to me, the fact that Justin contractually has a list of teams that he can refuse to be traded to ... definitely says something about the kid, his attitude and his mentality. ??? They're both ways too Hollywood for me ... divas!)

Not to mention, they don't fall far from the tree either!

The money tree???LOL

I don't think it has anything to w/ Justin's "baggage". Teams look to improve where they're weak. The D-Backs thought they were getting players from the Mariners who would fill a need. ( who those players were in this nixed trade weren't part of the news report I read).

The fact that the Mariners immediately focused on the Marlins' Stanton after Justin Upton nixed the trade, and the Fish and the Mariners are talking, shows me that Stanton is a possiibility for the Rays besides Justin.

I have no idea if Friedman is talking to the D-Backs and/or the Marlins. All I know is the Rays need more offense to improve their chances of making post season, especially w/ the Blue Jays substantially upgrading their team this off season.