The Texas Rangers have reportedly expressed interest in Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton which could potentially lead to a trade between the two teams.
Atlanta already traded one outfielder this offseason, shipping Jason Heyward off to St. Louis in a four-player deal that brought Shelby Miller to Atlanta, and there have been plenty of rumors that Upton could be the next player on the move.
According to ESPN, the Rangers have inquired about a trade for Upton as they are looking to move Shin-Soo Choo to right field and are in the market for another corner outfielder.
Upton, 27, slashed .270/.342/.491 last season with the Braves while setting career highs in games played (154) homers (29) and RBI (102).
Upton is set to become a free agent next offseason and will make $14.5 million on the last season of a six-year $51.2 million pact in 2015.
The outfielder has a no-trade clause to four teams, but the Rangers aren't one of them and Texas is said to be attracted to him based on his power and easy contract.
Upton has been in Atlanta over the course of the last two seasons after spending his first six MLB campaigns with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Braves are looking to bounce back from a season that saw the team finish 79-83 after going 27-40 down the stretch in the second half. Atlanta missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons and is revamping its roster.
The Rangers, meanwhile, finished an MLB-worst 67-95 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Upton is a career .274 hitter with 164 homers and 535 RBI.
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