D-Backs’ outfielder Justin Upton blocks trade to Mariners

Phoenix, AZ, United States (4E Sports) – Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton rejected a proposed deal sending him to the Seattle Mariners.

Upton, 25, exercised a clause in his contract allowing him to block deals to four teams — Seattle, Toronto, Boston and the Chicago Cubs.

Texas, Baltimore, Atlanta and San Diego are among the other clubs that have been mentioned in trade speculation surrounding him.

Upton is a two-time All-Star and finished fourth in the National League MVP balloting in 2011.

But he had a subpar season in 2012 — .280 batting average with 17 home runs and 67 RBIs — and his name surfaced in trade rumors at the July deadline and again this offseason.

Furthermore, Arizona’s outfield is already full with Upton, Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra, Adam Eaton, A.J. Pollock, and Cody Ross.

Seattle was ready to give up a “substantial package” in exchange for Upton, with Taijuan Walker reportedly one of several players involved.

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