I don’t think the Rays are looking to replace Upton anytime soon. While at times I would agree with you that he has not gone full-out, there are other times where I think his body language suggests lack of effort, when in reality it comes from the ease with which he is able to execute plays on the field.

Upton is well-liked in the clubhouse and respectful to the manager and coaches. I don’t believe he is a problem, and I think the times that he has gone less than full-out, manager Joe Maddon has taken him to task for it. Based on his athletic ability and some of what I have seen him do, I think he is going to be a player all Rays fans will be happy to have on the team.

In essence, I understand how the impression is there that he does not have fire in his belly, but I think beneath the cool facade, Upton is a competitor and in fact does have that fire.

He is one those people they never look like they are trying. I really believe is just because he is a great athlete and just looks like he is not trying. Because he has always been a great athlete he has had a fast track to the majors and for whatever reason he doesn’t have a grip on all the basics. Is there room for improvement, of course there is. But I am really impress with the way he has handle it. So I wouldn’t want to give up on him, he is worth keeping, that said if the right deal came down so be it, but it would take a lot. Thanks-Mark

When a guy thinks he’s got a homer, he leaves the box one way. When he hits what he thinks might be a triple he leaves another way. Running out a grounder to short often comes closer to the first than the second. But Upton is blessed (cursed?) with graceful athleticism. He almost beat out an ordinary grounder to the infield the other day and he was really moving down the line. But it didn’t look like he was running hysterically.

I don’t think he’s dogging it any more. I absolutely thought that for a while, and I thought he deserved the benching. But I think he’s busting it now. He just does it gracefully.

And now that I’ve made up to him, is it asking too much for me to ask him to hit, oh, let’s say, 14 homers in September? I don’t think that’s asking too much. And it’s not like he would be against hitting 14 homers in September.