Blue Jays blockbuster? Hardly, but Melvin Upton Jr. adds piece to playoff puzzle

3:44 PM ET

The acquisition of Melvin Upton Jr. from the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher Hansel Rodriguez falls along the lines of “tinkering around the edges,” but it might have a few residual benefits for the Toronto Blue Jays as they try to outlast the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East.

Upton has quietly enjoyed a nice comeback season in San Diego, with a .256/.304/.439 slash line, 16 homers and 20 stolen bases. The Blue Jays only have 32 stolen bases as a team, so Upton brings a welcome dose of speed to the lineup. He also fares well on the defensive metrics, with nine Defensive Runs Saved in left field. Among MLB left fielders, only Starling Marte and Adam Duvall have more this season.

Upton has enough holes in his swing to make him vulnerable against high-end pitching, and it remains to be seen what kind of …

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