The thing that is most damning to me is that he's had just seven at bats in September.The Diamondbacks sent Upton to Dr. James Andrews on Monday... or did Upton request the second opinion? Either way, it looks as if Upton's 2010 is done. Dr. Andrews found a small labrum tear, but that surgery is not necessary yet. The lax shoulder is similar to what his brother B.J. had after the 2008 campaign and is a good guide. The older Upton might be something of a disappointment to Rays partisans, but after the surgery, Upton was essentially back to level six to eight months after surgery. Over a year out now, his stats and scouting reports at bat and in the field look substantially similar to what he was doing before the surgery. That's success, but many only remember Upton going insane during the 2008 postseason and had the expectation that the hot streak was him finally finding the next level. It wasn't, he didn't, but that doesn't make the surgery less of a success. Some have tried to say that the surgery reduced B.J.'s power, but I don't see the evidence for that. The timeline for recovery means a decision needs to be made soon. With Kevin Towers coming in as general manager, expect this to be one of the first things he'll weigh in on.
But who knows how things would be if AZ were in it. Still, I figure it's an issue we should tackle now rather than later (ala Josh Hamilton last year in the LDS) and if you do decide to bench him then Jag should have an opportunity to present a case.
I'm obviously okay with any decision - to keep him in or to bench him - but the fact that he's had just 7 at bats this month makes me bring it up and I'd rather discuss it now rather than in the LDS, or if Jag beats me than the LCS or WS.
