The Diamondbacks have been dangling Justin Upton on the trading block since the July 31 deadline, so they have a pretty good idea of what teams are willing to offer for the talented young outfielder.
And it doesn’t seem like they’re expecting a match.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports heard from a source this weekend that there is a “90 percent chance” Upton will open the 2013 season with Arizona. “I think there’s a very high likelihood Justin will be in our starting outfield when we start the new season,” Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick added when asked.
The Rangers seemed like a potential suitor, but they informed the D’Backs at the general meetings earlier this month that they were not willing to include either of their two young shortstops -- Jurickson Profar or Elvis Andrus -- in a trade. The Diamondbacks want young staring pitching and a young infielder.
Upton, 25, batted .280/.335/.430 with 17 home runs, 18 stolen bases and 67 RBI in 150 games this past season. He is owed $9.75 million in 2013, then $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015.
