Updating Braves’ Trade Options for Justin Upton

Sep 19, 2014; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) talks to left fielder Justin Upton (8). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

For a while this weekend, it was looking like things might be playing into the Braves’ hands: Melky Cabrera spurns the Mariners – as so many free agents have – by selecting the Chicago White Sox. But rather than call Atlanta, the latest report is that Seattle is now looking at Alex Rios to fill an outfield hole.

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Rios isn’t exactly the “big bat” they are after – that was once the case, but his power supply came unplugged in 2014, hitting just 4 dingers last year. Indeed, as fangraphs reports this morning, the

best

remaining free agent offense source

is now

Jed Lowrie

– the only free agent player expected to hit even 2 WAR. But he isn’t an outfielder.

Rios projects to a 0.7 WAR. Oooooo: big excitement.

But if the Mariners are truly heading off in this direction (or for Dayan Viciedo of the ChiSox and his negative 0.7 WAR in 2014), then it’s also quite possible they’ve given up on pursuing Justin Upton. Have they?

But there are others that want him too, right? Let’s do an update on the slideshow.

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