There’s still a month left to round out the regular season, but the San Francisco Giants are already testing the market for right-handed power hitters.
On Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Giants had shown the strongest interest of any team in Marlins’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton. And on Tuesday evening, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that San Francisco is interested in trading for Detroit Tigers’ outfielder Justin Upton.
Sources: #SFGiants interested in Justin Upton, but opt-out after this season a major hurdle as #Tigers consider trading him this week. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 30, 2017
The 30-year-old Upton has 28 home runs and 94 RBIs for Detroit this season and has smashed at least 26 home runs in each of the past five seasons. Upton began his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but has proved over the last three seasons that his power translates to pitcher-friendly parks while playing home games for the San Diego Padres and now the Tigers.
Morosi reported that Upton’s contract may preclude the Giants from completing a deal, but it’s not because of the $88 million he’s owed over the next four seasons. Instead, the Giants are hesitant because Upton has an opt-out clause after this season, and it’s possible that he could exercise that and hit the free agent market. Because San Francisco could potentially lose Upton to free agency, where he may seek a richer deal, trading for Upton is a proposition that’s loaded with risk.
#SFGiants only want to trade for Justin Upton if they are certain (or close to it) that he won’t opt-out; difficult to guarantee that. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 30, 2017
If the Giants aren’t able to acquire Stanton –or aren’t interested in matching the Marlins’ asking price– Upton could provide stability in the Giants’ outfield and pair catcher Buster Posey with a middle of the order bat that would immediately upgrade San Francisco’s lineup.
For a trade to be completed, Upton would have to clear waivers, but given his contract situation and Detroit’s status as the fourth-place team in the American League Central, it’s possible that has already happened.
