Could he be more than just a rental?
Larry Reynolds, the agent for Justin Upton, spoke with Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette on MLB Network Radio this morning to discuss contract extensions and the lack there of. Reynolds stated that the Atlanta Braves never approached them about a contract extension to keep Upton in Atlanta.
#Braves never offered Justin Upton a long-term deal, his agent Larry Reynolds tells @JimBowden_ESPN&@Jim_Duquettehttps://t.co/8tM3DEEs8c
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 21, 2014In the short audio clip posted in the tweet above, Reynolds talks about how Upton saw that the Braves were making moves like the one involving sending Jason Heyward to the Cardinals and figured he would be on his way out in a move as well. When the host asks Reynolds about the possibility of contract discussions between Upton and the Padres, Reynolds says "We never say no to anything."
What Reynolds makes expressly clear in the interview is that if any contract negotiations were to take place, it better be in the near future. Reynolds tells them that "We won't want to get in any discussions once Spring Training starts." Reynolds does not want any distractions for Upton as he prepares to take the field for the Padres in his last contract year before hitting Free Agency.
In 2015, Upton is set to make $14.5 million. While the Padres could use his offensive prowess for a few years to go along with Matt Kemp and Wil Myers in this new-look outfield, the 2-time All-Star will cost the Padres a hefty sum if they'll want to keep him past the end of next season.
And according to Reynolds, we might not have to wait long to find out.