Justin Upton Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Padres Star

As the San Diego Padres' nightmare 2015 season continues to spiral out of control, teams have begun expressing interest in trading for outfielder Justin Upton.  

Continue for updates.

---

Padres Enter Upton Trade Talks with Multiple Teams

Monday, July 27

Jayson Stark of ESPN reported the Padres discussed a deal to send Upton to the Orioles, noting the talks could expand to involve San Diego starters Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.

The news of talks with the Orioles comes after a July 25 report from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who said the Mets walked away from trade talks after the Padres suggested a move that included at least one major prospect and no payment toward Upton's $14.5 million salary. Heyman claimed that it's unclear whether the sides will resume discussions in the future.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Upton is the most likely Padres player to move, though Will Venable, Joaquin Benoit, Craig Kimbrel and any starting pitcher could be traded as well, with Tyson Ross the least likely to go.

On July 21, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported that the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles have expressed interest in the three-time All-Star. Upton, 27, is hitting .252/.331/.426 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI, adding 17 stolen bases. Barring injury, he should wind up with his third 20-20 season, and there is even an outside shot that he'll reach the hallowed 30-30 territory. 

A free agent at the end of this season, the Padres would likely prefer to move him now rather than risk losing him for mere draft-pick compensation.

It's a sign of how poorly things are going in San Diego that the team feels more comfortable trading Upton now rather than keeping him on a long-term deal. He was one of a number of high-profile acquisitions last winter made by general manager A.J. Preller, all of whom were designed to bring the Padres into contention. 

"What A.J. Preller has wrought in San Diego has been as quick as it has been destructive," Rany Jazayerli wrote for Grantland. "Like an abandoned stadium earmarked for implosion, a baseball team can be demolished in a fraction of the time it takes to put it together."

Upton's trade may be the first in a series of moves that sees Preller veer hard from his chosen course.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.