Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Pirates are, so far, unwilling to give up top prospects Jameson Taillon or Starling Marte in a deal for Diamondbacks star Justin Upton.
[Neal] Huntington thus far has refused to part with minor league outfielder Starling Marte or right-hander Jameson Taillon. At least one — and maybe both — would represent a fair price for a player of Upton’s ability (fourth in the NL MVP vote last year) and cost certainty (three years at $38.5 million, starting in 2013).
I assume the Pirates are also unwilling to give up No. 1 prospect Gerrit Cole. If this is true, it's not entirely clear how the Pirates think they'll be able to convince the D'Backs to trade Upton. Taillon and Marte are certainly good prospects, but as Morosi points out, they aren't exactly Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout. Upton is still only 24 and is under contract for three years after this one; he already has excellent seasons on his resume, and it's not unreasonable to hope he'll get even better before his contract expires, despite his struggles this year.
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