Justin Upton Rumors: Blue Jays, Pirates, Rangers & Braves

Buster Olney and Jim Bowden of ESPN offer readers potential landing places for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.

Olney begins his list with the Pirates and Blue Jays. He says Toronto could be attracted by Upton’s cost certainty, as he’s set to make $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015. However, he says the Blue Jays need an arm more than they need a bat.

Olney notes Pittsburgh could use Upton’s offense, but notes the club could be hesitant to deal the major league-ready talent the Diamondbacks are seeking.

He goes on to list the Rangers, Tigers, Braves, Cubs, Mariners, Indians, Mets and Reds as possibly destinations for Upton. Olney makes it sound like Texas, Detroit and Atlanta are possibilities, while the other clubs listed are more long-shot scenarios.

Bowden offers a list of five potential landing spots for Upton, four of them being the already-mentioned Braves, Rangers, Tigers and Pirates. He adds the Royals to his group of potentials, placing them at the top of the list.

Bowden says the Royals would have to part with top prospect Wil Myers in any deal for Upton, but Kansas City could be interested in such a trade as they "need another impact right-handed bat in their lineup."

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Which team is the best fit for Upton?

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