ATLANTA (AP) – The San Diego Padres have agreed to acquire slugger Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves, a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the deal, said the Braves will receive a group of prospects. Among the players discussed were left-hander Max Fried, shortstop Jace Peterson and third baseman Dustin Peterson.
The Padres already made two huge trades in recent days, acquiring slugger Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers and former AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays.
San Diego has landed another of baseball’s top power hitters in Upton, who is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $14.5 million. He had 29 homers and 102 RBIs last season.
The Braves have been rebuilding their roster after failing to make the playoffs last season, with an eye toward the opening of their new suburban stadium in 2017. The Padres are looking for an immediate payoff, having taken huge steps to pump up the major leagues’ worst offense.