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...but more to the point...Baker has several deep personal biases that make no sense in this particular context. He believes (probably rightfully so) that it's always better to trade for an established star you're certain you'll be happy with than to hope two prospects work out. He believes (and again, I find no fault in this general logic) that winning clubs don't hem and haw about fixing their glaring weaknesses with established big league (TM) talent, and he believes that the road to winning in paved with bravery in trade talks...being willing to give up something good to get something good.
The problem here is that Ackley isn't a prospect...he's a freak of nature, Upton isn't a sure-thing superstar and the Mariners aren't close enough to contention to gamble big on the prospects they've finally managed to assemble in the high minors. Let's not forget, as well, that we're operating on a limited budget (whether you think we should or not) and Ackley costs ne3xt to nothing while Upton costs 50 million the next five years.