The comical B.J. Upton Plan B in Atlanta
One reason Myers cannot play a corner outfield spot is San Diego obtained Justin Upton from the Braves. But try as they might, the Braves could not get rid of his brother, B.J. Upton.
Atlanta was willing to eat significant portions of the three years at $46.35 million left on the deal and/or take a bad contract back. But nothing worked, so the Braves are left to paint an optimistic view of the situation — notably that upbeat new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer could work some magic and that Upton is saying all the right stuff about the need for adjustments.
However, Upton has hit just .198 with a .593 OPS the past two years combined. The only player in major league history to get at least 1,000 plate appearances combined and produce equal or worse stats in those two categories was Zoilo Versalles in 1967-68 (.198/.522).
Privately, the Braves are saying they will not tolerate more of the same and keep feeding Upton consistent at-bats. In fact, Upton has fallen so far that Atlanta would consider a Plan B that is a platoon between Yankees castoff Zoilo Almonte and Todd Cunningham, whose eight major league at-bats came in 2013.
If nothing else, Upton has accomplished this — his struggles created a way to get the only two Zoilos ever to play in the majors into the same story.
http://nypost.com/2014/12/30/how-roy...-july-shakeup/
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