Newest Blue Jay has eyes on prize
Upton Jr. says he’s happy to be in Toronto and is eager to help club win another title
You might have thought Melvin Upton Jr.’s move to the Blue Jays would be seamless, given he was already in Toronto on Tuesday with the visiting San Diego Padres.
But cross-border visa requirements meant the 31-year-old outfielder had to do much more than just change his uniform and saunter across the hallway.
In fact, Upton had to drive to the border at Lewiston, N.Y., in order to get an expedited visa before he could officially join the Jays ahead of Tuesday night’s game against his former team.
“Changing clubhouses, being on the other side and playing the team you were just on, I don’t really know how I feel about it,” a still-settling-in Upton told reporters after batting practice on Tuesday. “But I’m definitely excited to be here and with a group of guys in a pennant race with a chance to win.”
Upton’s roundabout return to the American League East and a role on a potential post-season contender has been equally circuitous as his post-trade travels.
Drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002 as a highly touted high schooler with a rare combination of speed and power, Upton played a key role on that plucky 2008 Rays team that unexpectedly advanced to the World Series. As a 23year-old, he hit a combined seven home runs in the division and league championship series that year before the Rays fell in five to the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I’m here to help this team win and in whatever capacity that might be, I’m ready for it. The main goal, especially at this point in my career, is to try to win a ring.” MELVIN UPTON JR.
In the ensuing seasons, Upton struggled to match the lofty promise of his early years in Tampa. As a free agent in 2013, he signed a five-year, $75 million (U.S.) deal with Atlanta and promptly went into a deep funk, during which he was among the league’s least productive players for two seasons.
He was sent to San Diego last year as part of a salary dump and this year has returned to something resembling his old above-average self, if not the perennial all-star for which he was once projected.
Upton has 16 homers and 20 stolen bases so far this season and is on track for the fourth 20-20 season of his career. He has also been a valuable defender in left field, and while his strikeout rate is still high, it’s not untenably so.
“I’m in a different place mentally,” Upton said when asked to what he attributed his improved performance. “I was able to clear my mind. Other than that there’s really no method to the madness, just basically having fun again.”
Jays general manager Ross Atkins — who said he was attracted by Upton’s ability to play all three outfield positions, his base-stealing prowess and his power — said Upton will “complement” the Jays’ lineup rather than serve as an everyday player. He will be used primarily against left-handed pitchers — against whom he has fared much better this season — when Michael Saunders or Jose Bautista will serve as designated hitter and Justin Smoak will move to the bench. He could also be used as a late-inning defensive replacement for Saunders or Bautista.
Upton said that was just fine with him.
“I’m here to help this team win and in whatever capacity that might be, I’m ready for it. I’ve been around for a little while and I think the main goal, especially at this point in my career, is to try to win a ring.”
Upton said he was looking forward to joining a competitive team after three straight losing seasons.
“That’s why you come to spring training,” he said.
“I don’t think anybody comes to spring training to lose. You prepare yourself to win every year. To be back in that and to have that intensity level and to play games that matter day in and day out, that’s why you play the game.”