Headlines

  • Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
  • Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal
  • Dexter Fowler To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery
  • Tommy John Surgery Recommended For James Paxton
  • MLB Inspecting “Suspicious Baseballs” From Trevor Bauer’s Latest Start
  • Trevor Rosenthal Undergoes Thoracic Outlet Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Angels Acquire Justin Upton

By Steve Adams | August 31, 2017 at 2:46pm CDT

In a stunning development, the Angels and Tigers have agreed to a deal sending outfielder Justin Upton to Anaheim in exchange for minor league right-hander Grayson Long and a player to be named later or cash, per an announcement from the Tigers. The Angels are reportedly responsible for the four years and $88.5MM on Upton’s contract beyond the current season (if he does not exercise an opt-out clause) as well as most of his remaining 2017 salary. (Detroit is said to be paying less than $1MM of the approximately $3.5MM left of Upton’s $22.125MM annual salary for this season.)

Justin Upton | Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY SportsThe trade represents a massive boon to an Angels lineup that is firmly in the mix for an American League Wild Card spot. While Upton’s first couple of months as a Tiger made his six-year deal look like a regrettable misstep, he’s been nothing short of one of the best hitters on the planet for the past 14 months. Dating back to July 1 of last year, Upton has raked at a .273/.351/.551 pace with 51 homers in 831 plate appearances. That line includes an even more magnificent .282/.368/.578 slash over the past calendar year. Over his past 631 plate appearances, Upton has clubbed 41 home runs.

Upton has performed so well, in fact, that his contractual opt-out clause following the 2017 season went from looking like like an easy call to remain in Detroit to a distinct possibility of being exercised. Upton has four years and $88.5MM remaining on his contract following the season, but he’d need only to match the money Boston guaranteed to Hanley Ramirez to eclipse that total. One direct comparable, Yoenis Cespedes, received a four-year, $110MM contract last winter in free agency when he was a year older than Upton will be this winter.

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports (on Twitter) that Upton had decided that he was likely to opt out of his contract following the season due to the Tigers’ rebuild. When he informed the team of that plan, trade talks quickly picked up. As noted below, the Tigers would’ve stood to lose Upton for nothing (outside of tremendous salary relief, which they’ve achieved anyway), as he cannot receive a second qualifying offer under the new collective bargaining agreement. ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets that Upton gave the Angels no assurances one way or the other about whether he’ll opt out of the contract at season’s end.

Angels left fielders, on the whole, have been among the least productive groups at their position in all of 2017. Anaheim left fielders are batting a woeful .244/.315/.341 thanks to underwhelming contributions from both Cameron Maybin, who has reportedly been traded to the Astros to facilitate the acquisition of Upton, and Ben Revere, who has been hot as of late but has posted generally underwhelming numbers since the onset of the 2016 season with the Nationals.

Long, 23, was the Angels’ third-round pick in 2015 and rates as the No. 9 prospect in Anaheim’s thin farm system, per Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis of MLB.com. He spent the beginning of the 2017 season pitching for Class-A Advanced but quickly progressed to Double-A, where he’s pitched quite well in 23 starts. In 133 2/3 innings combined between those two levels, Long has a 2.69 ERA with 8.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. He’s more of a fly-ball pitcher, as evidenced by his 33.1 percent grounder rate in Double-A. Callis and Mayo suggest that the 6’5″, 230-pound Long has the ceiling of a “solid” big league starter. Fangraphs’ Eric Longenhagen tweets that Long has exceeded expectations in 2017 and projects as a possible back-of-the-rotation arm.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the two sides were nearing a deal (via Twitter). Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted that the agreement was in place, while ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported that the agreement was still pending medical review (Twitter link). Crasnick also reported Long’s inclusion in the trade (Twitter link). Sherman tweeted that a PTBNL was also in the deal, while USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted the financial details of the swap. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweeted the Tigers’ salary contribution.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Share 0 Retweet 14 Send via email0

Detroit Tigers Grayson Long Justin Upton Los Angeles Angels Newsstand

MLBTR Chat Transcript: August Trade Deadline Edition
Main
Astros Designate Dayan Diaz For Assignment
150 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. steelheader

    4 years ago

    Wat

    Like
    Reply
  2. JDGoat

    4 years ago

    ROSENBOMB

    2 Like
    Reply
  3. AndreTheGiantKiller

    4 years ago

    Woah! Literally out of left field

    4 Like
    Reply
  4. chitown311

    4 years ago

    Bad contract

    2 Like
    Reply
    • CardsNation5

      4 years ago

      No it’s not

      6 Like
      Reply
      • johnsilver

        4 years ago

        Yes it is, just like his brother’s was. Upton brothers are bad risks and anyone signing them takes it. Notice that once the dotted line is inked production tumbles? it’s all in the family.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • JFisnasty

          4 years ago

          J-Up’s been above average to great every year of his career

          6 Like
          Reply
        • pd14athletics

          4 years ago

          What numbers exactly would Justin need to throw up for you not to say it’s a bad contract? The numbers I’m seeing are pretty impressive. If anything Detroit got a bargain.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • radiohead801

          4 years ago

          This comment does not reflect baseball, baseball fans or anyone with a brain.

          9 Like
          Reply
        • JaysFan19

          4 years ago

          Justin literally having his best season mate..

          3 Like
          Reply
        • firstbleed

          4 years ago

          JUp >>>>> BJ (Melvin)

          3 Like
          Reply
        • JD396

          4 years ago

          Justin is and has always been far and away the best of the two

          3 Like
          Reply
        • NPettinato14

          4 years ago

          Numbers for this season alone won’t the tale. This guy put up production once he wanted to get traded. Remember: He had a no-trade clause. If he was so adamant about “playing well,” where was this production last year, after the titanic contract he received? $22 MM a year? That’s more than entire teams get paid in Japan or Cuba. All for a .middle-of-the-road player with standard, .246 and .250 BA the last two years. ANYONE could put up those numbers. And, as we’re seeing, Mahtook and Adduci could do just that. And for 1/20 the money.

          Not saying he won’t play decent. He just won’t put up $22 MM worth of RBIs, SB, and runs scored. The Angels will be lucky to get a 3.0 WAR each year. And that’ll slowly slump into the 1.0 – 2.0 range by year 3.

          Like
          Reply
        • Priggs89

          4 years ago

          Thank god you put (Melvin) in there.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Cam

          4 years ago

          Justin and Melvin are two different people. As soon as you put a blanket over them, you’re exaggerating your own stupidity.

          Beyond that, Justin Upton is having arguably his best season. He is literally doing the opposite of the crap you’re trying to spin.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • chesteraarthur

          4 years ago

          putting up 3 war would be worth more than 22M of value…

          3 Like
          Reply
        • SundownDevil

          4 years ago

          With a comment downvoted this much, a week-long ban should go into effect. Please take an internet break and come back again in a few weeks. Thank you, drive thru.

          5 Like
          Reply
        • SlapChop14

          4 years ago

          John Silver’s argument against Justin Upton is so off base with reality that I thought he was so obviously trolling…until he revealed that he’s in the same age bracket as my father, who still types with two fingers, so I feel confident in ruling him out as a troll.

          The logical next step is to address the assertion that “once the dotted line is inked production tumbles”. This is patently false. Only a few keystrokes (albeit slow keystrokes, as these particular keys are being stroked one finger at a time) and we are reminded that J-Up has signed two major contracts: 2010’s 6 year/$51M contract, and 2016’s 6 year/$133M contract (we all know the option attached to this, so no need to plunge any deeper, whether you use 2, 6 or all 10 phalanges to do your stroking). During the 2010 season, the first season of his first six year contract, in just 133 games he hit 17 HR w/ 70 RBI, was 14th in the NL with an OPS of .800, and had a WAR of 1.6…all at the ripe old age of 22. Pretty good value for $3.75M in 2010. The following year, 2011, he made is 2nd All-Star team (at age 23), won his FIRST (he’d get another one) Silver Slugger award, and was voted 4th in MVP voting (WAR of 6.1!). Dare I say tremendous value for $4.25M. It would appear that we can point to 2012 as a drop off point. While 17 HR and 70 RBI are pretty good value for $6.75M, a WAR of 2.5 is down right nice. Sorry, I forgot…this is his “bad” year, so before we throw the baby out with the bath water and position ourselves to write J-Up off as a lazy bum based on this dip in 2012 production, a mere modicum of effort (even the two finger kind) reveals that he played a significant portion of the first half of 2012 with a mildly severe yet very painful THUMB INJURY, the very same thumb found on his left hand, which happens to be one of the hands that he holds and swings his bat with. Beyond 2012, simply put there is no basis for J-Up being poor value for money, being a poor teammate, being anything less than a top tier outfield talent. Two more All-Star teams. Another Silver Slugger Award. War of 2.9, 3.2, 4.4, 2.0 (due to his sluggish 1st half of 2016 which he clearly made up for) and finally 5.0. You could put him down for 25-30 HR and 85-90 RBI each year. His OPS ranking from 2011-2017 was 5th, 15th (during his DISASTROUS 2012 season), 13th, 7th, 10th, 14th & 3rd amongst Outfielders (a non-weighted mean of 9th in his respective leagues), all of which was achieved during seasons only one of which did he earn over $20M.

          Simply put, John Silver has absolutely zero basis for his argument against Justin Upton, just an assumption or projection based on his underachieving brother Mel. Not John’s brother Mel, though I’m sure John has an underachieving brother. Rather, Justin’s brother, Mel Upton, Melvin for short, the player formerly known as BJ. If John Silver is a reasonable man, he’d read what I’ve written, perhaps put both of his fingers to work and do a bit of research so that he can prove to himself that he’d erroneously cast aspersions on the fine career of Justin Upton, even the Justin Upton that wasn’t himself in April and May of 2012 when he had an injured and painful hand thumb.. If John Silver is a reasonable man, he’d say to himself, “Self, you were wrong about Justin Upton. SlapChop, better known for selling Shamwows and punching hookers, has made a cogent argument in defence of Justin Upton, and I should listen to this hooker punching weirdo”. Unfortunately, I think we all know the type of person John Silver is. He’s one of the rare beings that walks amongst us, who stares at eclipses and refuses to admit fault. That’s the John Silver I know. What could have been.

          But he makes one hell of a fish sandwich!

          1 Like
          Reply
        • SlapChop14

          4 years ago

          Who refers to Batting Average as the sole indicator of talent and/or production anymore?

          Like
          Reply
      • JDGoat

        4 years ago

        It’s not great but he has deserved it this year. I think if he opts out, he’ll get right around 88 million again

        2 Like
        Reply
        • tsolid

          4 years ago

          John Silver doesn’t like ANY players that didn’t come from the 80’s/90’s

          8 Like
          Reply
        • johnsilver

          4 years ago

          That’s comical for posters here that have been here since Tim started this wonderful site and actually read many of my postings.. I’ve been a baseball fan since the early 60’s and really.. There is no favorite time period, only players that hustle on the field and do not sit after signing contracts, which puts out the candy maldonado’s, upton brothers, Jack Clark Sandoval and many other lazy types who think the world revolves around them only.

          Some fans think it’s a good thing to grab it all and that it’s how everyone should do it, then those socialist types aren’t able to understand how real life works and probably never will before it’s too late.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • ilikebaseball

          4 years ago

          Don’t you have a cloud to go yell at?

          4 Like
          Reply
        • CobiEven

          4 years ago

          It is comical thank you made a blanket statement about Justin based on his brother. Just because Justin has a calm demeanor and is not running into walls he is not a bust. For you to have this much hate your life must be in a crappy spot.

          5 Like
          Reply
        • yoyo137

          4 years ago

          You mad old homie

          3 Like
          Reply
        • JT19

          4 years ago

          So are you saying that if you are doing what you love, you shouldn’t take the best offer? That you should take a salary more in line with your actual performance as opposed to your projected performance? Granted athletes have the benefit of still being paid to play badly (where as most normal-everyday workers would get demoted or fired for continued poor performance), but are you really saying that people shouldn’t take the best offer available to them if it means doing the thing they love/enjoy?

          2 Like
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          4 years ago

          So what you are saying is senility is setting in for you? Go yell at the kids to stay off your lawn.

          2 Like
          Reply
  5. Hålosfån14

    4 years ago

    Nice

    2 Like
    Reply
  6. MooseMichaels

    4 years ago

    Well there you go though I wonder who they’re giving up since there isn’t much there. I didn’t realize they had that much room monetarily.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • alt2tab

      4 years ago

      Lots of money coming off the books in Hamilton, Street, Maybin, etc. However they will likely be above the Luxury Tax threshold for 2017 unless the Tigers eat some of the salary. As for prospects being traded, my hope is that it’s not Jahmai Jones…

      1 Like
      Reply
  7. Rob

    4 years ago

    Isn’t their system on the thin side?

    4 Like
    Reply
    • nste23

      4 years ago

      No

      Like
      Reply
      • JDGoat

        4 years ago

        Yes it is lol

        5 Like
        Reply
        • Whyamihere

          4 years ago

          by angels standards, it’s really good.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • nste23

          4 years ago

          I wasn’t talking about astros system but the angels swooped him

          Like
          Reply
        • myaccount

          4 years ago

          Nobody was talking about the Astros system either. The Angels farm is one of the five worst in baseball, hands down.

          3 Like
          Reply
  8. Antdrew

    4 years ago

    Woah!

    Like
    Reply
  9. kyleschwarbersmom

    4 years ago

    Arte must want to throw some extra money at him.

    Like
    Reply
    • AGAVE

      4 years ago

      I’m sure the GM will attempt to get DT to take on some of this contract along with players, picks, etc

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Whyamihere

        4 years ago

        Picks?

        1 Like
        Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        4 years ago

        It’s not the NBA..you can’t trade picks.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • GareBear

          4 years ago

          You can if it’s a supplemental round pick and the technical “pick” of international pool money.

          1 Like
          Reply
  10. Gunnerson

    4 years ago

    jeeez

    Like
    Reply
  11. BlakeDenver

    4 years ago

    Can he still opt out of his contract after this season?

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Deke

      4 years ago

      I imagine they probably have agreed as part of the deal that he won’t opt out. I think they are allowed to do that.

      Like
      Reply
      • WolandJR

        4 years ago

        Maybe everyone knows that he is opting out, so the prospect haul will be inconsequential.

        2 Like
        Reply
      • Whyamihere

        4 years ago

        Why would Upton do that?

        Like
        Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          4 years ago

          $$$

          4 Like
          Reply
        • JD396

          4 years ago

          $$$ would be why he would opt out

          2 Like
          Reply
    • Whyamihere

      4 years ago

      yes

      Like
      Reply
    • CardsNation5

      4 years ago

      Yes

      Like
      Reply
  12. halos and quacks

    4 years ago

    I hope the angels don’t give up too much. It’s a month rental

    Like
    Reply
    • Schroeder

      4 years ago

      Not possible, they don’t have much to give up regardless

      1 Like
      Reply
    • skip

      4 years ago

      They don’t have much to give

      2 Like
      Reply
  13. 24TheKid

    4 years ago

    Well I guess it’s not just Jerry Dipoto to blame for depleting the Angels farm now. But if the Angels can get Upton, why couldn’t the Mariners. We need another bat in the outfield.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      4 years ago

      They diddnt really give up much at all, so good for the Angels. Now why couldn’t the Mariners have done this?

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Caseys Partner

        4 years ago

        The problem is Upton could now change his mind about opting out and the Angels are stuck with his contract.

        They should go after Stanton.

        Like
        Reply
        • alt2tab

          4 years ago

          As an Angels fan I’d actually be happy if Upton didn’t exercise his opt-out. We didn’t give up much to get him and I’d rather have Upton for 4 more years then have to overpay and guarantee 5-6 years to a different outfielder in free agency this off-season

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Caseys Partner

          4 years ago

          ” I’d rather have Upton for 4 more years ”

          That hasn’t worked out for anyone else, why would it start working now?

          Like
          Reply
        • jarrett62960

          4 years ago

          He’s actually been a bargain for Detroit. Too bad the injuries and bad pitching derailed their season.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          4 years ago

          With what?

          1 Like
          Reply
        • SlapChop14

          4 years ago

          Four All-Star teams, Two Silver Sluggers, Avg. 9th best OPS. since 2010, Avg. 28 HR/ 88 RBI per season, never earned over $14M until 2016.

          What a bum!!!

          Like
          Reply
      • marinersblue96

        4 years ago

        He probably would of vetoed a trade to the M’s as he did before. I believe he had a partial no trade clause in his contract.

        Like
        Reply
  14. Devin

    4 years ago

    Hopefully Tigers get a Pitching Prospect out of this! We need Pitching badly!!

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Schroeder

      4 years ago

      If only the Angels had any lol

      2 Like
      Reply
  15. Caseys Partner

    4 years ago

    The only trade for an outfielder the Angels should be thinking about is Stanton.

    Justin Upton stinks.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • JDGoat

      4 years ago

      Ummm what? A simple look at baseball reference doesn’t back up that opinion.

      9 Like
      Reply
    • Rob

      4 years ago

      lolwut

      5 Like
      Reply
    • jarrett62960

      4 years ago

      I guess you haven’t watched baseball since September 2016?

      5 Like
      Reply
    • pukelit

      4 years ago

      He… what? Umm… I kinda want to hear this guys argument that Upton sucks

      3 Like
      Reply
    • greatdaysport

      4 years ago

      Harper after ’18

      Like
      Reply
      • Caseys Partner

        4 years ago

        Bryce Harper is going to sign with the Phillies. It is foolish to think that either he or Machado will be wearing a uniform other than the Phillies in 2019.

        The Phillies have $140 million burning a hole in their pocket. That’s $140 million per year, burning a hole in their pocket.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • davbee

          4 years ago

          The Yankees have $140 million in their couch cushions.

          9 Like
          Reply
        • Caseys Partner

          4 years ago

          In your untreated psychotic mind.

          The new CBA has created an effective spending cap.

          The Phillies are a wealthier team than the Red Sox with no payroll whatsoever.

          Everyone needs to process that fact.

          Like
          Reply
        • myaccount

          4 years ago

          Why do you waste your time trolling here? You say the same asanine junk on every post, basically.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          4 years ago

          Phillies come in 8th in revenue at $325 million per season. The Red Sox 3rd with $434 million. The Yankees are #1 at $526 million. Even if the Phillies had literally a zero payroll, they couldn’t spend what the Yankees are able to spend.
          You need to either get back on your anti-psychosis medication or look up what the facts are before you post.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • JD396

          4 years ago

          New CBA is a salary cap for 1 team

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Caseys Partner

          4 years ago

          Your figures are fictitious.

          Google: Nielsen 2016-2017 DMA Ranks

          Have a nice day!.

          Like
          Reply
        • Brixton

          4 years ago

          youre not factoring in that the Reds have history had better attendance, plus they have a better TV deal, and among other things, a history better team.
          Market size isn’t the only thing that produces your payroll size

          Like
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          4 years ago

          Your brain is obviously fictitious. Google Forbes Business of Baseball. As for the DMA’s, that is the size of the TV households per market. Philly ranks 4th in TV households and they rank 8th in REVENUE for their MLB team. Neither is close to #1.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Caseys Partner

          4 years ago

          Forbes is Fake News.

          In fact Forbes is one of the most fictitious news outlets on this planet. Forbes alleged coverage of MLB has no sources and has been proven wrong every time an MLB team is put up for sale.

          Like
          Reply
        • SlapChop14

          4 years ago

          Don’t you have an eclipse to look at?

          Like
          Reply
  16. hk27

    4 years ago

    I was expecting that Angels would go for Verlander. I expect the package will include either Marsh or Jones–both are high upside young OF’s who have been partly made less essential by the draft of Jo Ardell. this year. Still, there goes the farm, or what has been added last year or two.

    One could still hope that it’s the Upton(s) and Verlander in the same package….but the farm may not be deep enough to pull that off.

    PS. If it happens, Angels ship either Jones or Marsh plus a pitching prospect to Tigers–with Upton rescinding his opt-out. IF it’s Upton(s) and Verlander, the entire farm would have to go, or whatever is in it. I’m kinda hoping that it’d be the later.

    Like
    Reply
  17. MB923

    4 years ago

    Wowzers.

    Like
    Reply
  18. trident

    4 years ago

    What could the Tigers possibly want from the Angels’ farm system? It’ll be interesting to see what influence his potential opt out will have on this trade. But Trout finally gets protection.

    1 Like
    Reply
  19. morebreakdowns

    4 years ago

    I love the Upton haters. do you guys watch baseball? He’s a great player by any measure.

    6 Like
    Reply
  20. alexgordonbeckham

    4 years ago

    Based on the 1:24PM update, does that mean he is going to opt-out?

    Like
    Reply
  21. kiddhoff

    4 years ago

    Upton is very good. But Im sorry, this article makes it seem like the Angels are getting a second Mike Trout. ‘One of the best hitters on the planet’ ‘magnificent’ ‘huge boon’. Funny

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      4 years ago

      Upton’s 148 wRC+ is tied with Jose Altuve and Paul Goldschmidt for seventh in all of baseball over the past calendar year.

      He has, in every sense of the phrase, been one of the best hitters on the planet for the better part of a year.

      8 Like
      Reply
      • politicsNbaseball

        4 years ago

        Has Justin Upton become one of the most underrated players in baseball????

        Like
        Reply
        • kargus

          4 years ago

          Yup! Baseball fan minds are a motha! Because Upton started slowly after signing a pretty big (fair) deal, a lot of fans labeled him a bust. When In actuality he has been one of the best hitters in the game over the past year.

          Like
          Reply
  22. alt2tab

    4 years ago

    Very interesting deal. I wonder if the Angels received any guarantee that Upton would or would not opt-out. It seems like it’d be difficult for both teams to determine Upton’s value when they don’t know whether it’s one month of Upton or four years of Upton they’re trading/receiving.

    1 Like
    Reply
  23. brewpackbuckbadg

    4 years ago

    Now does Upton change his mind about opting out? The Angels are not going to be rebuilding so he does not have that to worry about.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • alexgordonbeckham

      4 years ago

      I don’t know. That sounded more like a good excuse to opting out than saying “I want to try to secure more guaranteed money.”

      4 Like
      Reply
      • angelsfan4life

        4 years ago

        The Angels could work out an extension to try to keep him. Rather than try to resign him if he opts out. Give a two year extension for around 30 million, would put him around where he wants to be.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • JD396

          4 years ago

          Why would he opt out of $22m/yr for four more years to take $15m/yr for two years?

          1 Like
          Reply
        • politicsNbaseball

          4 years ago

          He had to mean $30m/yr for two years

          Like
          Reply
        • JD396

          4 years ago

          Which is still less than is on his contract, and defeats the purpose of an opt out, anyway. He’s been playing at an undeniably elite level and he’s 30, he’s never going to command more money on the market than he will this winter.

          Like
          Reply
  24. jarrett62960

    4 years ago

    “Fire Avila because he didn’t get Trout”…
    -Irrational fans

    2 Like
    Reply
  25. hk27

    4 years ago

    This is a very good deal for the Angels if Long is all that they are shipping (that is, if the PTBN is no one important). Long is an OK, but not world beating prospect. I do suspect if PTBN is tied to whether Upton exercises his opt out or not–they probably have a player (or a list of possible players) figured out depending on the contingencies.

    1 Like
    Reply
  26. tigerdoc616

    4 years ago

    If Upton was going to opt out, then this is a great deal for the Tigers. A prospect plus cash or a PTBNL beats the nothing they would have got had they kept him. From the Angles standpoint , not sure this makes sense, but Angels fans can debate that.

    Like
    Reply
    • DetroitDave84

      4 years ago

      Exactly two prospects for a guy who was opting out. Great deal.

      Like
      Reply
    • kargus

      4 years ago

      @Tigerdoc616 From the Angel fan perspective this is a good deal based on giving up Long who profiles as a back -end guy arriving 2019. The Angels have 3 starters in the pipeline : Barria, Rodriguez and Canning who they like more plus a handful of young controlled arms (although some with injury concerns)) already in the bigs.

      If Upton walks that money is then spent to address other needs + the Hamilton $$ is off this winter. If he stays you have LF solved through the life of the current Trout contract for a good player at a reasonable dollar amount. Solid deal all around.

      Like
      Reply
  27. hk27

    4 years ago

    So, basically a three way deal, then….Angels deal Maybin and an OK but not great prospect (Long) for Upton, and I imagine Astros supply PTBN? For the Angels, Maybin is a FA, so no long term value and Long, by himself, looks to be an OK price for Upton if he opts out and potentially a bargain if Upton stays put (and does not crash and burn).

    Like
    Reply
  28. HaloShane

    4 years ago

    Nice pick up.

    1 Like
    Reply
  29. walls17

    4 years ago

    Yankees sit in silence as their season slips away from them

    2 Like
    Reply
    • a1544

      4 years ago

      Lol wtf. They had the busiest July deadline out of any team

      1 Like
      Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        4 years ago

        This guy is stuck in 2016.

        1 Like
        Reply
  30. pickme123

    4 years ago

    What time is today’s deadline?

    Like
    Reply
  31. Timothy Souza

    4 years ago

    This dude is a monad. Traveling from team to team. Winning nothing.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • tsolid

      4 years ago

      Won more than you. Thats a fact

      2 Like
      Reply
    • thegreatcerealfamine

      4 years ago

      What’s a monad?

      4 Like
      Reply
      • tigerfan4ever

        4 years ago

        Ask Rajah Davis, he could possibly tell you what a monad is.

        Like
        Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          4 years ago

          Street for my pops

          Like
          Reply
  32. Rbase

    4 years ago

    Great start of the rebuild, getting nothing for one of your most marketable players. Yes, I know there is an uncertainty about an opt out. Avila is doing a terrible job so far.

    On the other hand, I am surprised that the Angels are taking on more money (if he doesn’t opt out). Good job by their management to give it a shot while they can. However, this gets them in an even worse situation payroll-wise if Upton stays.

    Like
    Reply
    • jarrett62960

      4 years ago

      Upton told Detroit he was opting out. What would you suggest Avila do? Nothing?

      3 Like
      Reply
      • Rbase

        4 years ago

        At this time, probably nothing. The fact that Upton can’t get another QO (which I just thought of) really hurts. But I think they could have gotten way more for him in the past offseason.

        Like
        Reply
        • Steve Adams

          4 years ago

          There was a massive logjam of corner bats available last winter. The Mets couldn’t give Jay Bruce away at one year and $13MM.

          No one was trading prospects for Upton AND taking his contract. That he was set on opting out handcuffed the Tigers to a large extent.

          Long and a PTBNL isn’t a much, but getting a reasonably advanced Double-A arm that has legitimate MLB rotation upside in this spot is a fine outcome for the Tigers. It’s honestly more than I’d have guessed they’d get even this morning if you’d told me they were going to move Upton.

          2 Like
          Reply
        • ReverieDays

          4 years ago

          They couldn’t have given him a QO anyway, he was opting out not becoming a FA.

          Like
          Reply
        • Stat_head

          4 years ago

          If the market was so strong last winter why wasn’t JD traded? His numbers were strong over multiple years, unlike Upton’s 2 months, and the commitment was only for 1 yr. As Steve Adams states, the market was overcrowded last winter. No opportunity to trade Upton after the way he started 2016.

          Like
          Reply
        • RytheStunner

          4 years ago

          You can give a QO to someone who opts out of their contract. Opting out makes you a free agent.

          The reason he can’t get one is because he’s already received an offer before and you can only receive one QO in your career. But it has nothing to do with his opting out.

          2 Like
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          4 years ago

          It was not strong, it was long jammed. Complete opposites. It means lots of OFs and not much demand.

          Like
          Reply
  33. 0428April

    4 years ago

    I wish the Tigers would trade everyone for cash and 18 year old scrappy middle infielders. Go Tigers!

    Like
    Reply
  34. outinleftfield

    4 years ago

    What a great deal for the Angels. Regardless of whether Upton opts out of his contract at the end of the year, they are just a game out of the WC right now. Finally, Trout gets a true big bat to help him. They will have Upton, Trout, and Calhoun in that OF. If Upton chooses to stay, that is a formidable team next season with all those pitchers coming back from injuries. A few tweaks in the FA market and they have a real shot at winning the AL West next year.

    2 Like
    Reply
  35. tigertom0210

    4 years ago

    Anyone want to play in the bigs? The Tigers need a few live human beings to play outfield. Show up at Comerica Park Monday and try out. And, bring your own mitt.

    Like
    Reply
    • shelteredsoxfan

      4 years ago

      Nah I’ll be busy trying out for the white sox. Think I have a pretty good shot of making the team lol

      Like
      Reply
  36. Zach725

    4 years ago

    Didn’t expect that.

    Like
    Reply
  37. John warchock

    4 years ago

    Upton wasn’t going to reup here at least he let tiger front office know….getting Long is about right for a one month rental…at least the Tigers don’t have to worry about 88 million anymore…long can pitch he will probably be in rotation sometime next year….good luck J Up….castellanos to left field canyman to third…. Life’s not good if your a tiger fan…now can we Get a new gm this offseason..

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Stat_head

      4 years ago

      Agreed but Nick is going to right field. Too much real estate in left at Comerica for Nick.

      2 Like
      Reply
  38. firstbleed

    4 years ago

    Vernon Wells 2.0? Not a knock on JUp, just seems like a similar situation for LAA.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • richardChen

      4 years ago

      Ouch – I guess the worst case for Upton is similar, though at least there’s no one like Napoli to come back and crush the Angels every month.

      Like
      Reply
    • JD396

      4 years ago

      Why is that, because he’s an outfielder?

      Like
      Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      Upton is a couple of years younger and is having an exceptional year. This really isn’t about the long term for the Angels. Upton is still very likely to opt out after the season. This just gives the Angels another great bat in the middle of that lineup. Simmons, Trout, Upton, Pujols.

      1 Like
      Reply
  39. HelloItsMe

    4 years ago

    Tigers are going to suck until at least 2022. They are going to have to go through a painful and full scale rebuild. The main problem I see is lack of controllable assets like the White Sox had, which is why I see them having to endure some painful years.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • shelteredsoxfan

      4 years ago

      More like the tigers controllable assets are aging, oft-injured and overpaid players unlike the sox who were in the exact opposite situation

      2 Like
      Reply
    • stymeedone

      4 years ago

      When you have what the White Sox had, and choose to trade it instead of build around it, that’s when you know the front office doesn’t have a clue. It’s a long shot that any of the acquired players will become as good as Sale, or Quintana, or Eaton.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • HelloItsMe

        4 years ago

        Bruh…. White Sox are pretty much set even if half of their prospects end up reaching their potential. You are clearly delusional or a homer.

        1 Like
        Reply
        • stymeedone

          4 years ago

          Let me know when it actually happens. I just happen to think very highly of the players they gave up. Not only were those 3 good, they signed long term for cheap. That’s hard to get in today’s market. There is no guarantee that any prospect will become a perennial all star.

          Like
          Reply
  40. Strauss

    4 years ago

    I hope the Tigers don’t suck as bad as the white sox. Detroit doesn’t deserve that!

    Like
    Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      4 years ago

      Well, maybe they want a better draft pick.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • HelloItsMe

      4 years ago

      Give the White Sox 2 years and “sucking” will not be synonymous with their name.

      Like
      Reply
    • RegretfulTigersFan7

      4 years ago

      The White Sox are going to be competing for AL Central titles shortly.

      Brace yourselves Tigers fans, the next decade is gonna suck.

      1 Like
      Reply
  41. stantoformvp

    4 years ago

    Wow

    Like
    Reply
  42. slider32

    4 years ago

    Billy Epp is a Cashman disciple he is doing a good job upgrading the Angels. They are giving it a shot. In the end it comes down to the play of the players on the field.

    1 Like
    Reply
  43. aff10

    4 years ago

    Love that the Angels are trying to take advantage of this widow they have by taking on the salary. This season is likely their best chance while they still have Trout.

    And I think Avila deserves a lot of credit for this too, despite some complaints above. There are a lot of massive free-agent commitments that flop, but this was a great one IMO (sorry johnsilver, disagree there). In totality, the Tigers got much more than they paid for from Upton, and that’s a rarity in free agency

    1 Like
    Reply
  44. Eat'EmUpTigers

    4 years ago

    Where are all these fools who were telling me at the deadline on here that the Tigers won’t rebuild they’ll just sign more guys as free agents in the offseason. I love the idea of a rebuild as a fan ever since they got swept in 2014 ALDS. But I cringe at the fact Al Avila is callin the shots :(

    Like
    Reply
    • RegretfulTigersFan7

      4 years ago

      Ausmus and Al Avila must go!

      Like
      Reply
  45. stymeedone

    4 years ago

    There is little reason to watch the Tigers now. JV just became more willing to waive his no trade clause, I bet.

    Like
    Reply
  46. Mr Pike

    4 years ago

    Michigan summers are terrific. Boating, championship golf, casinos, concerts, racing and great restaurants.
    After enduring 1988 to 2006 I can’t bear to watch any more awful baseball.
    Everyone screaming for a total rebuild must be under age 40.

    Like
    Reply
  47. baseballmanak

    4 years ago

    looks like Detroit lost Kate upton and Justin Upton now! lol

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal

    Dexter Fowler To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

    Tommy John Surgery Recommended For James Paxton

    MLB Inspecting “Suspicious Baseballs” From Trevor Bauer’s Latest Start

    Trevor Rosenthal Undergoes Thoracic Outlet Surgery

    Blue Jays Sign GM Ross Atkins To Five-Year Extension

    Yankees Acquire Rougned Odor

    Brewers Trade Orlando Arcia To Braves

    MLB Moves All-Star Game Out Of Atlanta; Colorado To Host

    Recent

    AL Injury Notes: Anderson, Rays, Cabrera, Schmidt

    Cubs Place 3 Relievers On COVID IL, Select Pedro Strop

    Angels Place Anthony Rendon On 10-Day IL

    Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Rockies To Sign Chris Rusin

    Nationals Reinstate Three From COVID List; Designate Jonathan Lucroy For Assignment

    Royals Place Jesse Hahn On 10-Day Injured List

    Padres’ Adrian Morejon Placed On IL Due To Left Forearm Strain

    Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal

    Minor MLB Transactions: 4/12/21

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Francisco Lindor Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version