Hot Stove: Upton Meets with Phils, Melky to Jays

Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, B.J. Upton reportedly met with the Phillies this week. Upton has been on a mini-tour of teams in the NL East this week, also reportedly meeting with the Braves earlier this week and the Nationals today. We reported on Monday that executives believed the Phillies would try to move quick to sign a center fielder, targeting Michael Bourn and then Upton. The Phils have also been linked to both Cody Ross and Josh Hamilton, presumably not for center field but rather a corner spot. The Hot Stove is starting to simmer.

Finally, potential Phils’ target Melky Cabrera signed for two years, $16 million today with the suddenly aggressive Toronto Blue Jays. Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes was the first to report the news and is surprising for both the length and annual value. Cabrera may play one of the corner outfield spots but will likely also time at DH with a team that already has Jose Batista, Colby Rasmus, Anthony Gose, Emilio Bonafacio, and Rajai Davis patrolling the Rogers Centre’s turf.