Could This Be Sayonara BJ Upton?

As reported last night, LF Desmond Jennings has been promoted from AAA Durham and SS Reid Brignac has been optioned back down to AAA, to make room for Jennings on the roster. This does sound like a normal enough move considering the amount of players that have moved up and down in the last week or so. Not to mention that Brignac hasn’t really performed well this year and the Rays are lacking a solid LF. It does make sense to bring up the Rays über prospect, Desmond Jennings with all of this in mind. However, could something else be afoot?

The rumors of a potential trade involving BJ Upton have spread like wildfire. Even ESPN reported that though he (Upton) has not been traded, a deal does seem imminent. The St. Petersburg Times went as far as to report that Upton told the media, “See you guys tomorrow, hopefully,” as he left the clubhouse last night.

It seems as though Mr. 90+ Strikeouts with What Feels Like Only 10% of Those Strikeouts Being Swinging Strikeouts might actually be on the outs. Who would the Rays receive in return? That is uncertain at the moment. The Rays definitely need a solid hitting and defensive shortstop, outfielder (assuming Upton is indeed on the outs), and catcher.

It’s bears mentioning that the Nationals, who are in need of a center-fielder, have scouted the Rays earlier in the week. The Nationals do have a catching prospect in Derek Norris…and the Rays could use a catcher, you know?