July 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. (2) hits a single in the fifth inning against Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto agreed to a trade for San Diego Padres outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., who would give the Blue Jays another big bat to squeeze into a crowded lineup.
Upton Jr. is having a bounce-back season with the Padres with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and a team-leading 20 stolen bases. According to multiple reports, the Blue Jays will trade a minor league outfielder to San Diego.
The Blue Jays are set in left field with All-Star Michael Saunders and right field with Jose Bautista, but acquiring Upton creates options for rotating players in the designated hitter role and playing Edwin Encarnacion at first base.
The Padres owed Upton $16.45 million in 2017 but are on a run of unloading hefty contracts, a shift that began in the offseason when they traded closer Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox and included in-season deals involving right-hander James Shields and closer Drew Pomeranz.
Entering Tuesday, the Blue Jays trailed the Orioles by three games in the American League East.
