Brothers reunited as Braves trade for another Upton
BY BOB BAUM Associated Press
Friday, January 25, 2013
1/25/13 at 4:52 AM
PHOENIX (AP) - Justin Upton is joining older brother B.J. Upton in a new-look Braves outfield he expects to be called the best in baseball.
He said he's not willing to endorse that label until it is proven in 2013.
Arizona traded Justin Upton to Atlanta in a seven-player deal Thursday that sent former All-Star infielder Martin Prado to the Diamondbacks.
The Upton brothers join right fielder Jason Heyward, who won a Gold Glove in 2012, in the outfield packed with power and speed.
"If we push ourselves to the next level, I feel with the extra push from each other there's no question we can be the best outfield in baseball," Justin Upton said in a telephone interview. "I'm not going to give us that label until we prove it."
The Braves, who also get third baseman Chris Johnson, are giving up one of their top pitching prospects, Randall Delgado, and three minor leaguers in the deal.
The other minor leaguers headed to Arizona are right-hander Zeke Spruill, shortstop Nick Ahmed and first baseman Brandon Drury. Prado, projected to play third base for the Diamondbacks, can become a free agent after this season.
B.J. Upton, 28, signed a five-year, $75.25 million contract with Atlanta in November. Justin Upton, 25, said the brothers will be on the same team for the first time since high school.
Upton said he already receives tips after his older brother sees him on TV. He said now there will be more chances for the two to help each other.
"I think from that standpoint it will be good, but I think more than anything being able to show up at the ballpark genuinely excited every day and have that energy," he said. "The more energy you can bring from the start every day, it makes you a better player."
The younger Upton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, has played five full major league seasons. Last season, he hit .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBIs and a career-high 107 runs.
Original Print Headline: Brothers reunited as Upton traded to Braves
