The Detroit Tigers upgraded their outfield position. They agreed to a six-year deal worth $132.75 million with Justin Upton. The contract includes an opt-out after the second year which could allow Upton to hit the free agent market. What kind of player are they getting?
Justin Upton is a nine-year veteran who suited up for three teams. Those were the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and the San Diego Padres. Upton played for the San Diego Padres last season. He hit .251, with 26 home runs and 81 RBI’s. Upton is a career .271 hitter but isn’t an athlete who hits home runs, with only 190 in his career.
The Tigers needed another bat in the lineup. Upton is a player who will not only get on base but move his teammates around the base pads. This will assist the Tigers to win more games this season than their 74-87 record last season. He is expected to play left field. Upton will join a lineup with Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler. This is a daunting lineup. All of them can hit home runs and advance base runners.
The move of Upton is one they had to make. Sure they could have signed Yoenis Cespedes but Upton is a better player in the field. Cespedes is a better hitter but the Tigers felt that Upton can do more. They are over paying but they had to. If they didn’t sign Upton, other teams would have.
The Tigers as a team have spent money this offseason improving their team. They signed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann earlier this offseason and now they added Upton. Both of these moves signal the Tigers are ready to win now. The American League will have to watch out for this team because of how improved they could be.
What do you think of the move to sign Justin Upton?
WOW! I REMEBER J. UPTON FROM HIS DAYS WITH THE DIAMONDBACKS…
SORRY HE LEFT, BUT LOOKS LIKE HIS CAREER IS WELL ON TRACK.
THANKS FOR UPDATE.