San Diego Padres Acquire Justin Upton

Photo Credit: Todd Kirkland – Associated Press

The San Diego Padres making the playoffs? In the middle of a huge offseason, the Padres have acquired star outfielder Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves. The Braves will likely receive a bundle of prospects in shortstop Jace Peterson and left-handed pitcher Max Fried in return.

The Padres have turned their outfield from weak to dominant in a matter of a month. To start their big offseason, they acquired outfielder Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before adding Upton, the Padres then traded for up-and-coming stud Wil Myers. Though he has troubles fielding, he has the power to clear the field in one swing. Now, their big three is complete with another slugger in Upton.

Upton batted .270 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI. He also hit 34 doubles and swiped eight bags. All of this came in 154 games, the second highest in his career.

The Padres have also been in talks with the Boston Red Sox and are close to receiving third baseman Will Middlebrooks. They also have three extra outfielders in the mix that may be on the move soon in Cameron Maybin, Seth Smith, and Will Venable.

Upton was expected to be traded before the start of the season, as the Braves replaced him by signing Nick Markakis to a four-year deal. Upton will be a free agent at the end of the season, but if the Padres do solid enough, he may have a future in San Diego.