Not trolling, just genuinely curious what makes him such a hot commodity. Young and talented, no doubt. But what is driving Texas (and its fans) crazy over this kid? Ill admit I've only looked at his triple slash and none of the peripherals. That's why I'm looking for opinions.

SOME are nuts for an Upton...

SOME are worried his "Me first" attitude and his tendency to coast (i.e. not hustle) at times won't sit well in the Rangers' clubhouse. I'm one of those.

Hopefully, J-Up is just a smoke screen to keep people guessing while the ninja GM of the Rangers works out his REAL deals and Upton x2 land elsewhere.

Justin's not even, really, a viable CFer any more... he'd settle in a COF slot and bump Murph or Cruz.

SOME are nuts for an Upton...

SOME are worried his "Me first" attitude and his tendency to coast (i.e. not hustle) at times won't sit well in the Rangers' clubhouse. I'm one of those.

Hopefully, J-Up is just a smoke screen to keep people guessing while the ninja GM of the Rangers works out his REAL deals and Upton x2 land elsewhere.

Justin's not even, really, a viable CFer any more... he'd settle in a COF slot and bump Murph or Cruz.

OOoooooohhhh... NOW I see why some of these replies are 3 or 4... this "create comment" error makes you think your post didn't post... but, it did...

Copy your comment, refresh, and, if it isn't already there... THEN try again...

I've been wondering the same thing. Kid really underwhelms me for all the hype he generates on here.

Add in the notions that he's lazy, and a me before the team kinda guy, I say no thanks.

I'd stay away from all the Uptons.

I'd stay away from all the Uptons.

You got it: young and talented, plus 3 years of modest cost control.

AZ has been trying to trade him for 2 maybe 3 yrs I don't get it either. If he is so great why not sign him long term??

AZ has been trying to trade him for 2 maybe 3 yrs I don't get it either. If he is so great why not sign him long term??

The good vs. bad justin upton basically comes down to how much you think he's going to slug. He's had a weird career where his slugging goes up and down by 100 points every year (odd years are the good ones). When he has a good year, he's a 5-6 WAR player. When he's "bad" he's a 2-3 WAR player. the optimistic argument is that he's young and just entering his prime (just turned 25) and signed relatively cheaply (even for the "bad" version, it's a pretty fair deal.) Best case scenario, he's about to become an MVP candidate for about 13 million a year. Basically, he's Josh Hamilton in 2008.

Of course, Josh had his own risks and there's no guarantee Upton ever has a season like Josh's in 2010. But that's the upside and the reason for any over excitement.

Ben Revere is 24 and a CF'r. Phillies napped that Upton-ish player. CHEAP!

For those of you wondering why D'Backs are trying to trade Upton...ask yourself this, why do some of us on this forum want Elvis Andrus traded? There most likely lies the answer to why. His value is very high right now, and i'm sure they believe they can fill his spot in one way or another, while they have a serious hols at SS they need to fill. They feel as though the best way to fill this hole is by trading their young superstar for another one at a much more premium position.

please tell me you arent' equating Ben Revere (a good player, no doubt) with Justin Upton

When I think about Upton and then I think about the regular "pro-sabermetrics" posters on BBTIA, I can't wait for the buyers remorse. Especially if Andrus were to be moved for that spare. His home-road splits. The pro Upton people better hope he loves Arlington as much as he liked Arizona. He is a #6 or #7 hitter at best.

I hope the Rangers' interest in Upton is just a smoak smokescreen. Gentry and Martin are perfectly capable defenders in CF. We need some power from the DH spot. First and foremost, I'm all in for Grienke.

A few things:
1) Revere is Juan Pierre.
2) Upton is not a CF. He will play RF and Kinsler will split DH time with Murphy or Cruz whoever stays.
3) Upton is not a 6 or 7 hitter that's ludicrous. But I wouldn't trade him straight up for Elvis.

I see a career trajectory that is eerily similar to his brother...once you adjust for league and park. And if I'm JD I'd purge any bad attitudes off the team (including Josh).

I've been one of the outspoken critics of bringing him in.

I'd be quite happy to get Upton. Just not for anything substantial. I wouldn't even give up Olt for him who could play a Corner OF pretty well and probably be just as good offensively. I'd probably give up Holland for him, or Perez, but those two are as high as I'd be willing to go as far as headliners in a deal. And only because I'm not high on either, and see them is mid rotation guys at best (I don't think Holland has the mental fortitude to be a TORP).

upton is a stud. not a spare. i will rejoice if daniels is able to land him, even at the cost of our beloved shortstop. i can't help, thinking to myself, what our starting lineup will look like if we don't have upton or hamilton. not good. odds are likely we get one, but i'll take he who's seven years younger, trending upward, and far cheaper.

there's a difference between "pro-sabermetrics" posters and "pro-business" posters, but i believe we agree on the same end game.

upton @ 3/$38.5M > hamilton @ 4/$100M+
profar @ 3 [league-min] + 3 [arb] > andrus @ 2/$11.5M

no harm if you disagree with this. i'm no business major or baseball expert. this is just my logic on the matter.

also, can i get some linked articles saying justin upton has an attitude problem, issues in the clubhouse, or a propensity not to show hustle? because without proof it sort of just sounds like you are making up reasons to keep elvis andrus.

Justin Upton is way overrated...........if we give up some of our young up and comers or Elvis for him we will get an ordinary (if we are lucky) corner outfielder............simple!

Show me a list of players with a top-3 MVP finish by age 23, and I'll show you a list of players who had borderline HoF careers.

^^^ ding ding ding

Guess what Scooby... Upton has never finished in the Top 3 of the NL MVP voting. He finished 4th in 2011.

Other guys who have finished in the top 4 of their league MVP voting in my lifetime: Morgan Ensberg, Kevin McReynolds, Dave Concepcion, Tim Wallach, Jose Cruz, Larry Bowa, Larry Parrish, Al Cowens, Amos Otis, Ken Singleton, Doug Decinces, Willie Hernandez, Kelly Gruber, Jose Mesa, Randy Myers, Bret Boone, Garret Anderson, Shannon Stewart... the list goes on and on.

Are those good players? Sure. Possible Hall of Fame material? No way. Guys I would trade Elvis for? None of them.

And before you point out your comment about "by age 23"... I get that part, I know you're saying it's impressive that he got MVP votes at a young age. Although he actually turned 24 in August of that 2011 season a few months before MVP voting, so in the interest of accuracy let's not say that he had a Top-3 finish by age 23... when in fact he had a Top-4 finish by age 24.

Let's also not forget that some guys peak early. Joe Charboneau, anyone?

I know Justin Upton is talented, I know he has potential to produce at a high level going forward, etc... but he's also inconsistent and (as many others have mentioned) his home/road splits are scary. I understand why some Rangers fans want him on our team, and I wouldn't mind having him too - but at a lesser cost such as an Olt/Perez package, for example. I just don't understand why you guys are so quick to deal Elvis for him.

2013 Upton > 2013 Grienke

Bank it.