The Braves may deal Justin Upton (8) at any moment. Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN is reporting that the Texas Rangers have engaged the Atlanta Braves in talks with the hope of acquiring outfielder Justin Upton.
Upton set career highs in home runs (29) and RBIs (102) last season with the Braves. But after a second-half collapse, Atlanta is reshaping its roster. The Braves already have traded outfield Jason Heyward and seem willing to part with Upton for the right deal.
The Rangers are planning to shift Shin-Soo Choo to right field, which would open up left field for the 30-year-old Upton.
Upton has a limited no-trade clause in his contract to four teams, but the Rangers are not one of them, ESPN reported. His contract also is appealing to the Rangers. It has one year remaining on a six-year, $51.2 million contract extension he signed while playing with Arizona
