All-Star Upton takes look back at first half

CINCINNATI -- Justin Upton spent more time on Monday talking about the Padres' struggles in the first half and the potential of being traded than he did about being on the National League All-Star roster for Tuesday's All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile.

"It's all part of the game," Upton said, smiling.

Upton, the Padres' lone All-Star Game representative, was pressed for answers on the sluggish first-half that saw San Diego finish 41-49 and 10 games out of first place in the NL West.

"We haven't clicked on all cylinders enough. Lately, we've pitched really well and we haven't been able to support them as an offense. Before, we didn't pitch well and the other team got the big hit," said the Padres' left fielder.

:: All-Star Game on FOX: Tuesday, Coverage begins 7 ET ::

"We're going to have to have a run where we are pitching [well] and the offense is clicking. … We've got to score more runs and support our pitching staff."

Upton entered the break hitting .253 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs with 17 stolen bases in 87 games. He's played more innings (736 2/3) than anyone else on the 25-man roster.

But the struggles of a revamped position player group on the team -- the Padres added Matt Kemp, Upton, Wil Myers and Derek Norris, among others, during a busy offseason -- remain a mystery to Upton.

That said, he knows this group is capable of more.

"You've seen it here and there where this team can be very good. The personnel is there and the attitude is there, we've got to turn the tide a little bit," Upton said. "We haven't had that two or three in a row [streak] that can kick-start it."

As for his own place on the roster, Upton -- a free agent after the season -- can't say one way or the other where he thinks he'll be playing a month from now. He's already been traded twice in his career and understands that trades are all a part of doing business.

"It's part of the game. I'm in a situation where I can become a free agent. You never know these days. I would hope we put ourselves in a position where we don't have to worry about it," he said.

"I've never rolled over or given up on any team I've played for. At this point, we're in a tough situation. I think we're good enough. I think the guys in the clubhouse believe that."

During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app.

The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.