The Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Justin Upton from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a seven player deal which sees Martin Prado go to the D’Backs.

Upton joins his older brother B.J. Upton in the Braves outfield. Last November, the ex-Ray signed a five-year, $75 million contract with Atlanta. With the Upton patrolling left and center they will make each other that much better. They will also make rightfielder Jason Heyward better too. This is now the best outfield in MLB. Is it just me or does Upton, Upton and Heyward sound like a law firm? 

After finishing fourth in the NL MVP balloting in 2011, Upton had a so-so season in 2012 hitting .280 with 17 HR and 67 RBI. Despite his talent, Upton fell out of favor with D’Backs management who tried to trade him unsuccessfully several times. Earlier this month, Upton vetoed a trade to the Seattle Mariners. Well, Upton is only 25 and the best is still to come.

Yet the D’Backs don’t come out of this empty handed. Martin Prado has very quietly become a very solid big league player who can play a variety of positions and has hit .300 or better four out of the last five seasons. With the addition of Prado, Eric Chavez and Eric Hinske, the D’Backs have a lot more depth, playoff experience and may be a force in the NL West in 2013.

The happiest people in all of this are the Upton brothers’ parents. In the words of Peaches & Herb, “Reunited and it feels so good.”