The Rays extended a qualifying offer to B.J. Upton, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (on Twitter). The free agent center fielder now has one week to accept or decline the offer.
If Upton accepts, he’ll earn $13.3MM on a one-year deal in 2013. Assuming he declines, he’ll be linked to draft pick compensation in free agency — his new team will have to surrender a top selection to sign him. Upton ranks fifth on MLBTR’s list of top 50 free agents.
really glad the phillies made that late season surge to finish with the 14th pick!
Top 10 are protected, but Rays won’t get an extra pick anyway.
i know. I was referring to the phillies LOSING a pick when they sign Bourn, Upton, or Hamilton.
I’m hoping for none of them.
Pagan?
*16th
Not something I think is great. Upton at this point is really someone who is not worth more than $10M aav, and wouldn’t want to also lose a draft pick for him. I think this has the making of a disaster contract, his defense is overrated, and he didn’t even get his obp over .300.
I think he will get more money, but I think it will be a huge mistake.
Well there goes phillies first round pick. A pick that has a good chance to bring a talented player with it’s position. But hey when you’re the phillies with amaro steering the ship who need real prospects anyway.