B.J. Upton Trade Talk: Five Reasons Why the Rays Should Deal Him Away

As baseball season enters July, some teams must decide whether they are buyers or sellers when it comes to trading for, or away, key players.

While the Rays are still clearly contenders, despite playing in the extremely rigorous, they have a rather large piece they need moved.

They have given B.J. Upton plenty a chance to play up, or at least near expectations, but it seems his time in Tampa Bay could be up.

Yes, we've said this many times before, so why should we think the Rays would trade him away this go-round?

Here are five reasons why the Tampa Bay Rays should finally trade their once-potential superstar, and cut ties once-and-for-all.

His Value Is Up... Temporarily

Yes, he's hitting an abysmal .223. And yes, he leads the league in "excuse me" swings and "right-down-the-middle-strikeouts" as well (records not verified), but his value is, at least for now, on the rise.

Andrew Friedman and Stuart Sternberg are ex-Wallstreeters, so they should know more than a little about this type of situation. Upton has recently found his power-stroke, yet he remains to watch way too many pitches.

His value is also up because of the fact he is just now entering his prime (26 years of age), and even though many consider him a bit of a bust, some still have the fantasy of him one day having a 30-50 season.

He Will Never Be the Player We Once Hoped He Would Be

He could still break out. Eventually he'll come around. Give him some time, you'll see.

These are many of the things I've caught myself saying about Upton over the years.

While I think people slightly over-exaggerate his lack of production, it's true he hasn't been what every one fore-casted him to be.

He's only gotten worse since his once-thought "he's only getting started" season of 2007. We saw what he could've became in the 2008 postseason, and have seen none of that type of play since.

His average has dropped from the solid .300 mark in '07, to .273, .241, .237, and now .223. He's been called "lazy" and "smug", with many questioning his hustle (even Evan Longoria, though not to the media, but to his face).

Call him whatever you want, rate his lack of effort however you would like, but a .223 average and being fourth in the AL in strikeouts speaks for itself.

There Is a Suitor

Though the Rays never publicly announce trade talks when they are on-going, the Washington Nationals (though it seems like they've been a potential suitor more than once) could be in the market for Upton.

It's clear to me that Upton could use the change of scenery, as well, and could benefit from a move to a new city. The Nationals can't do any worse right now in center field, with Rick Ankiel posting a submarine-low average of .204.

Like I said, the Rays don't let anything loose, so it's all just rumors for now, but this deal makes sense.

Here's another reason why it does so...

Because the Rays Need Catching Help

With Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez behind the plate for Washington this season, and Wilson Ramos gaining favor as the backup (despite a .238 average), there leaves little playing time for the Nats' to give Jesus' Flores.

Seeing as the Nationals have a position the Rays are in need of, and vice-versa, there's even more of a possibility of the two clubs swapping players.

Sure, the Rays have John Jaso, Kelly Shoppach, Robinson Chirinos, and Jose' Lobaton, but Flores could easily start right away. He played 19 games in 2009, when he hit .301, but hasn't had many chances since.

I've never really liked Jaso's pitch-calling, and throwing runners is a struggle (16 percent). His bat, the only reason to keep him in the lineup, has gone cold, with a .223 average and a .291 on-base percentage (a far drop from his .372 a year before).

Shoppach has the quickness of a sloth, but throwing out runners (11 of 21) is his strong-point. Too bad those great numbers aren't accompanied by a good bat, or even decent bat, seeing as he hits an almost impossible-to-comprehend .177.

More reason to trade for the 26-year-old Flores. He has a higher ceiling than Lobaton and Chirinos, and is also much further along right now.

There's a Ready Replacement

Enter Desmond Jennings. After the Rays sent him down to get some "seasoning" in the minors for the first few months, he's ready to contribute at the highest level.

The Rays wanted to wait till he could start to bring him up, and here's the way they can do just that. One of the top prospects in all of baseball, Jennings will play once again on the USA Futures' team.

With a .372 on-base percentage, and a more-than-respectable .279 average, Jennings appears prime and ready to put an MLB jersey back on.

His speed is another big-plus, having stolen 15 bases while only being thrown-out once. 56 of the 73 games he's played in this year have been in center field, and he seems more than comfortable there.

Which is all more reason why it's time for the Rays to strongly consider cutting ties with Upton.