Larry Reynolds, the representative of free agent outfielder Justin Upton, tells Jon Heyman that his client is not interested in a short-term deal as things stand. (Twitter links.) While there’s been some buzz recently that the 28-year-old could be forced to take a pillow contract with an eye on re-entering the market next year, that seems not to be a present consideration.
Here’s the full quote from the veteran agent: “We are not considering shorter-term deals at this time. The goal has been and will continue to be a long term contract for Justin Upton.”
From my perspective, it would indeed be rather premature for Upton and his representatives even to entertain the idea of a pillow contract — let alone a deal that would promise away a few prime seasons and put Upton back on the market in his early thirties. As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes argued entering the winter, a seven-year, $147MM contract seemed a reasonable outcome for the still-youthful, power-hitting Upton.
And it’s not yet clear that the situation has changed drastically. The two biggest free agent outfield pieces to sign thus far — Jason Heyward and Alex Gordon — went to clubs that probably weren’t ever going to factor in the market for Upton (or fellow top option Yoenis Cespedes). It’s arguable, then, that most of the plausible suitors for Upton entering the offseason still remain plausible landing spots.
That’s not to say that a short-term arrangement is out of the question. The qualifying offer hurts any free agent, and we’ve seen sluggers like Nelson Cruz forced to settle in the past. But Upton’s age and consistent production make him quite a different investment opportunity than was Cruz in the 2013-14 winter, when he was also coming off of a PED suspension.
If I’m Justin Upton and I sign a one-year contract, I’m sure as heck getting a gentleman’s agreement that I won’t have a QO next off-season.
So a team is supposed to give up a draft pick to sign Upton for one year and then not be able to recoup that pick the following year? I suppose a non-contender might do that and then try to flip him at the deadline, but I don’t think Upton is going to have a problem getting a multi-year deal this year. Now, there are some other free agents still out there who might need to take a pillow contract, but I just don’t see Upton as being one of them.
I doubt any team in baseball is going to sign a guy and say, “yeah, let’s just forget about that draft pick when you go somewhere else in 2017”.
He’ll get the QO.
i’m sure the understanding would be that they would waive the qualifying offer in exchange for a lower payout for Upton’s services. its possible scenario but i don’t think its likely.
i’m betting he gets at least another 5-6 year deal, though possibly with an opt out considering the direction baseball money is moving these days.
Lol once his agent said “….at this time…” it means its about that time.
My thoughts exactly. Agent speak for “ok, we’ll consider it”.
Ya I sure as heck wouldn’t want a large chunk of my salary going to Upton.
4/90 should be what he’s gunning for
I would love to see Boston sign this guy.
A team like the Cardinals would be smart to offer Upton a 4 or 5 year deal similar to that of Alex Gordon. Make it an opt out contract and that gives some felixibility. I honestly believe we haven’t seen what Upton is capable of in the right situation. Get him on a winning club, bring out that competitive fire and he can capitalize on that in his age 32 free agent year with another large contract. Upton has to realize that he has not lived up to expections and he will not be compensated like he has.
As a Braves fan I watched Upton play a lot. When he’s hot he can carry a team for a week or two, but man, when he’s cold he is ice.
He was such a frustrating player. The cards would be a great fit seeing their incredible abilities to get the most out of their hitters.
All the expectations from Mets fans have been to bring back Cespedes. I actually think Upton makes more sense. I think we could get him for less annual money on a 5 year deal with an opt out after year 2. We got a sandwich pick from Murph so we can afford to lose a first rounder for Upton. Slide Granderson to CF (which I’m confident he can handle with his range) and replace your 3 hitter. I’d do 5 years, $120mm any day with an opt out after year two. Then trade Lagares for relief help. Make it happen Sandy!!
Not a bad idea for the Mets, thorshammer. I’d actually think with an opt-out after 2, the Mets could get him for a little bit less, say $110m.
Wow $24 AAV is a lot when his market seems to be putting him around $18-$20. Not a bad idea but I think the same deal could get done with less money, something like 5/100. Anything above $20 AAV seems like you’re paying him for the potential that he has never reached.
And I agree that Upton, with his age and pretty consistent play, shouldn’t be anywhere close to taking a one-year pillow contract.
I am a braves fan also and as geaux Upton can carry a team for a month or so, but the problem is when he goes cold, baby he goes cold, you get nothing but ks. The big problem with him is this will be his fourth team and he’s not 30 yet, why with the production he gives a team. It has been rumored before about the bad attitude both him and his brother has, they have to be babied. I think the term buyer beware should be in use here, and I am going to bet whoever signs him is going to regret it
He has been on three teams so far and trades account for all of them. The Braves thought they were contenders so they pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire what they thought would cement that. Then the Braves traded him again because they turned a 180 to rebuild mode. Upton was a very valuable trade piece for a team rebuilding.
The market is a better explanation than attempting to infer anything from his character.
Plus, one of the trades was from the Diamondbacks, and they’ve been providing head-scratchers for years.
Upton has far superior numbers to Jason H, but who got the big contract, I think the market is telling us
I don’t think he will have to settle for a shorter-term deal, though it is possible his agent has overpriced him thus far. I think he ends up with at least a 5/100MM contract, and I would probably bet it is closer to 6/115MM. Personally, I’d love to see the Red Sox jump on him if they could dump Castillo (which I know, is a lot easier said than done).