The MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching at 4 p.m. ET on Friday and San Diego Padres outfielder Justin Upton's name has repeatedly come up as he may be moved this week.
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Upton, 27, is set to become a free agent at the end of the year, and with the Padres (47-52) sitting in fourth place in the NL West, it's likely they'll move the outfielder after acquiring him just last offseason from the Atlanta Braves.
Upton is hitting .251/.330/.429 this season with 16 homers and 50 RBI, his worst numbers since his rookie year, and with many teams in the hunt and in need of a bat as the hunt for October continues, he'll likely be on the move come Friday.
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Here are three possible landing spots for Upton
3) New York Mets
While the Mets are known to pass at taking on salary, general manager Sandy Alderson said he is looking to add an extra bat at the deadline and the team could conceivably pick up the $5 million owed to Upton for the rest of the season.
The Mets (51-48) just called up prospect Michael Conforto, but are still said to be looking to add an outfield bat in order to round out a lineup that enters Tuesday tied with an MLB-worst .235 team batting average.
New York enters Tuesday trailing the Washington Nationals (52-45) by just two games in the NL East and after making a few other deals in the last week, it could still be working to find someone to give it an extra edge.
2) Houston Astros
According to MLB.com, the Astros (55-45) have had some serious discussions with the Padres involving Upton as they look to bring some veteran experience to a club that is on pace to make the postseason for the first time in a decade.
Upton has 43 career at-bats at Minute Maid Park and he has hit three homers there. With George Springer (wrist) out for another month, Houston could bring Upton into the fold.
The Astros are one game behind the Los Angeles Angels (55-43) for first in the AL West and own the top wild-card spot in the league.
1) Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles (49-49) are seven-games out in the AL East hunt, but Baltimore is just three games out of the wild-card race and could make a move for Upton to provide a jolt to the lineup.
ESPN reports that the Orioles have been in discussions with the Padres to make a trade for Upton and it could also involve pitchers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross coming over to Baltimore as well.
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