Rebuilding Padres ship Upton to Blue Jays
MLB NOTEBOOK
Outfielder was already in Toronto with the San Diego Padres when they traded him across the diamond to the Blue Jays.
Joining his new team was a lot more complicated than walking down the hall.
The Blue Jays acquired Upton Jr. and cash from the Padres on Tuesday in exchange for minor league righthander
Upton couldn’t join Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins for an early afternoon press conference because he was at the nearest border crossing being cleared to re-enter Canada.
When he arrived with the Padres on Sunday night, Upton was treated as a visitor. As a member of the Blue Jays, he requires a work visa to enter Canada.
Upton drove to Lewiston, New York, about 25 miles north of Buffalo, and was back in Toronto about two hours before game time.
“About an hour and a half ride there,” Upton said after returning to Rogers Centre and taking batting practice with his new team. “Sat at border patrol for a little while, jumped in the car and came back. It all went pretty smoothly.”
Unsure how soon Upton would return, Blue Jays manager left his new player out of Tuesday’s starting lineup. Gibbons said he expects to start Upton in Wednesday’s series finale.
“He’s having a nice year,” Gibbons said. “We think he’ll add something.”
Upton has had a big season for the rebuilding Padres, who are mired in fourth place in the NL West. He is hitting .256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, 46 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. He’s hit three walk-off home runs.
“What attracted us to him was several things,” Atkins said. “The defense at all three positions, speed, base-running, base-stealer, power, versatility and depth.”
Toronto is 56-44, three games behind Baltimore in the AL East. The Blue Jays hold the second wild-card spot.