PADS BRING IN JUSTIN UPTON FROM ATLANTA
The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Justin Upton, pitcher Aaron Northcraft from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Max Fried, infielder Jace Peterson, outfielder/infielder Dustin Peterson and outfielder Mallex Smith.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
The Padres continue to make massive moves in an attempt to shore up their offense. Adding Upton, San Diego now boasts a vaunted offensive outfield with Upton in left, {P Matt Kemp} in center and {P Wil Myers} in right (all recent trade acquisitions). This move should also allow the club to deal away their excess, namely {P Carlos Quentin}, {P Seth Smith}, {P Cameron Maybin} or {P Will Venable}. Northcraft is a big starting pitcher without a lot of upside, but he will add depth to the Padres' starting rotation.
What does it give the Atlanta Braves
This move is a clear signal (if it wasn't clear already) that the Braves are entering a rebuilding phase. Upton is scheduled to become a free agent after 2015, so Atlanta was proactive here in sending him to San Diego. The key player in this deal for the Braves is Fried, who has top-of-the-rotation upside but is also dealing with recovery from Tommy John surgery and won't be much of a factor in 2015. Jace Peterson already has big-league experience, and has a chance to break camp with the Braves. However, he might have to settle for a utiity infielder role. Dustin Peterson is a major long-range project at this point at third base, but he might pay dividends if Atlanta is patient with him. Smith has some intrigue because he is very fast and owns the attributes of a center-fielder/leadoff man.
Fantasy impact
Upton is one of several new Padres who will try to prove PETCO Park is not a burial ground for power hitters. His fantasy value goes down slightly in 2015, but he shouldn't be ignored in drafts because he has a chance to cash in big time on his pending free agency. Fried is an obvious keeper-league pitcher whose immediate value is low due to rehabilitation. Both Petersons are fantasy dark horses at this point, as is Northcraft. The real potential fantasy steal involved in this deal might be Smith if he ends up becoming Atlanta's center-fielder of the future.
