MLB trade rumors: Orioles, Padres discussing Melvin Upton Jr.-Ubaldo Jimenez deal

Joe Rodgers

MLB trade rumors: Orioles, Padres discussing Melvin Upton Jr.-Ubaldo Jimenez deal image

THE RUMOR: The Orioles have talked to Padres about outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. and could be sending starter Ubaldo Jimenez and a prospect in the deal. 

REPORTED BY: Fox Sports, ESPN.com and Yahoo Sports

THE DETAILS: At this point, the deal is under discussion as a one-for-one trade, which seems unlikely. Upton comes with another year of control at $16.45 million, while Jimenez is also signed through 2017 at $13.5 million. 

THIS SEASON: Upton is batting .260/.309/.448 with 16 homers, 44 RBIs and 20 stolen bases this season. Jimenez is in the midst of his worst season to date with a 7.38 ERA over 17 starts with a dismal 1.97 WHIP. 

OUR TAKE: The Orioles, who have stolen just 13 bases this year through 95 games, could not only use Upton as a speed threat but also as insurance in center with outfielder Joey Rickard out four to six weeks after a thumb ligament injury. As the club battles with the Red Sox for the AL East crown, the upside of Upton is worth parting with a prospect despite an already thin farm system. 

The Padres have already dealt two starters this season in Drew Pomeranz and James Shields and are expected to ship Andrew Cashner before the deadline as well, all but ridding their staff of veteran starters. Jimenez, who has spent the past three seasons struggling (5.02 ERA) in the small confines of Camden Yards, could use a change of scenery and a return to the NL West, where he dominated in 2010 with the Rockies. But San Diego can also do better than only getting Jimenez. The club needs prospects and should ask the win-now Orioles for either left-hander Chris Lee (5-0, 2.98 ERA in Double-A) or right-hander Hunter Harvey (2.13 ERA in GCL) in addition to Jimenez. 

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Joe Rodgers