Justin Upton won't be traded, says Diamondbacks owner

Justin Upton reportedly won't be traded, says the Diamondbacks owner. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With approximately one week before the MLB trade deadline, Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said the team is better off with right-fielder Justin Upton and that rumors of his departure have gotten an undeserving amount of attention, according to Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic:

Kendrick, speaking from his vacation home in Colorado, said it's a "reasonable assumption" Upton will be a Diamondback the rest of the season. "I think we're better off with him on our team," Kendrick said. "I this whole thing has gotten way more attention than it deserves."

Kendrick confirmed that the team will not make a major trade before the July 31 deadline. After the season, however, he said changes could be made, though nothing "dramatic." No one on the team is untouchable, he said, and that while general manager Kevin Towers won't be actively calling other franchises to gauge interest in Upton, "if a player is mentioned by other clubs, he'll listen."

Upton is hitting .274 on the season, with eight home runs and 41 RBIs. He finished the 2011 season batting .289, recording 31 home runs, 88 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

"It's a mystery why Justin can be so great at times and other times not be that great. It's frustrating for him and, when I put my fan hat on, frustrating for me. ... But I'm a big fan of Justin. I absolutely feel his best years are ahead of him."