Justin Upton rejects qualifying offer from Padres

Justin Upton, like his teammate Ian Kennedy, appears poised to test the open market after rejecting a one-year, $15.8-million qualifying offer from the San Diego Padres ahead of Friday's deadline.

The Padres will receive draft-pick compensation if Upton signs with another club, while the team that signs him will be forced to forfeit their top unprotected pick in the 2016 draft.

Upton, 28, becomes one of the top free-agent outfielders available on the market, joining Jason Heyward, Alex Gordon, and Yoenis Cespedes.

In his lone season with the Padres, the former first overall pick hit .251/.336/.454 with 26 home runs, and 81 RBIs.