The Mariners announced they’ve reinstated outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Lewis from the concussion injured list. To clear an active roster spot, they attempted to option Justin Upton to Triple-A Tacoma. As a veteran with well over five years of MLB service, Upton exercised his right to refuse an optional assignment in favor of free agency. In effect, the transaction is akin to a release, as Upton heads back to the open market while Seattle frees a spot on their 40-man roster.
Lewis has missed nearly two months after suffering a concussion in late May. It was the latest in a number of health woes for the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year, who lost the bulk of last season due to a meniscus injury in his right knee. Lingering knee concerns kept Lewis from making his season debut until May 25, and he suffered the concussion within four games of returning. He’ll obviously hope for a lengthier stay now that he’s back with a Seattle club amazingly carrying a 14-game win streak into the season’s unofficial second half.
The 27-year-old worked exclusively as a designated hitter in his four MLB games, but he’s gotten a little bit of work in left field on his latest minor league rehab stint. The M’s have used Carlos Santana as their primary designated hitter since acquiring him from the Royals last month. Right field has primarily been the purview of Sam Haggerty. Seattle will surely be cautious with Lewis’ workload easing him back in, but that duo seems likeliest to see their playing time reduced by his presence. That’ll be even more true when Mitch Haniger makes his return from a high ankle sprain; Seattle’s High-A affiliate announced yesterday that he’d begin a rehab assignment of his own there this weekend.
As for Upton, the move brings a rather quick end to his time in the Pacific Northwest. Released by the Angels at the end of Spring Training, he latched on with the Mariners on a big league deal six weeks into the season. After some time spent working into game shape, he was recalled to the major league roster just over a month ago. That stay didn’t prove fruitful, however, as Upton stumbled to a .125/.263/.208 line with just one home run in 17 games. He didn’t have the benefit of regular playing time, but it was the continuation of below-average production that eventually ended his time in Orange County.
Upton is making $28MM this season on the final guaranteed year of his original extension with the Halos. Los Angeles is on the hook for essentially all of that sum, with Seattle paying him only the prorated portion of the $700K league minimum for his month on the roster. Another club would owe him the same amount if they were to bring him aboard, although Upton seems likely to be limited to minor league offers after struggling with the Mariners. If he wants to continue playing, he shouldn’t have an issue finding a non-roster opportunity.
Toro should be the one to go when Haniger comes back Aug 4th.
Based on Dipoto’s comments yesterday, I think Toro is the odd man out. He praised Moore and Haggerty quite a bit.
Sign him Yanks, if it worked with Carpenter after years of poor production it may just work with Upton. Stranger thinga have happened.
If they think they have that magic touch, sure. That organization certainly has a lot of ways to win besides just spending.
Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009 you zipper
It has only worked out with Carp as he has his magic mustache. Just a shave away from being subpar.
You’re looney.
No he’s not, I am!
Yanks didn’t fix Matt Carpenter. Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday fixed Matt Carpenter this past off-season. The Yanks are simply reaping the rewards. Maybe Justin Upton should go hangout with Matt Holliday…
Carp must have found the, um, magic elixir. Working with Matt Holliday, who knows a thing or two about magic substances…
Carpenter became complacent in St. Louis, like so many players do. When he was let go, it was a major wake up call and he went to work, good for him. Had he kept a good work ethic, the Cardinals would have kept him. I wish many players would learn from Carpenter’s experience. MLB would be a much better game.
Upton does not have a good work ethic. He has been lazy for several years.
Carp just found he could hit on a little league short RF porch stadium. haha
Not enough beard. Cashman isn’t interested.
To Curly: You would have to dump a ham and egger for a long shot!
Minor league deal with the Braves plz.
If he turned down AAA with Seattle, why would he accept a AAA assignment with anyone? Seems like he wants another MLB shot, maybe a last hurrah?
While I understand that, I seriously doubt he’s going to get a major league contract at this point.
What does he really have to offer the Braves?
Nuttin Honey!
You are pretty much guaranteed he will make an out 9 out of 10 ABs. Maybe they can make a rule that each team has a couple.100 hitters. That will speed up the game more than all the dumb things they have done to shave 3 mins off the game.
Braves have a few others in minors already Alex Dickerson; Preston Tucker to name a few.
Would be very surprised to see Upton get a Braves minor league deal. Robinson Cano was hitting good in triple a and a left handed batter why Braves took him.
Sometimes we fall in love with brand names that we know and forget that they aren’t what they were.
He should ask his sister Kate if her husband has any connections with the Houston Astros
That would be an astronomical favor
Seattle probably goes all in on Juan Soto to pair with Julio Rodriguez for the long term.
Jarred Kelenic
Taylor Trammel
Noelvi Marte
Brash
Hancock
Ford
i also have a gut feeling he will end up the mariners for a huge package like that but i think trammell would probably be replaced with one or two young lottery tickets to restock the nats’ farm
I say LAD or busttttt and LAD wilL CREAMMMM dat trade on my mommmmaaaa jus look at Ruiz and gray for turner and scherzer it gon be like that
Could you repeat that for the English speaking readers?
Probably not. Hopefully not. Outfield is not a need. They need to get a better 2B and maybe another SP.
Getting him should improve them alot. A couple wins for the rest of the season could be the difference between playing in a wildcard game and going home. He also boosts them alot next year. My concern is the price tag, but to get a young star mid seasons with two more years of arbitration costs alot. It also allows them to focus less on offense next year. If they can do it, they probably start encroaching on the Astros projection wise next year. Especially if they follow up next off-season with some starting pitching and a 2B.
Who cares if there is no need? It’s Juan freaking Soto
Locker room isn’t big enough for both
“Locker room isn’t big enough for both”
What does that mean? Are you implying Julio has too big of an ego? If so, that’s ridiculous; the dude is the ultimate teammate and never makes it all about himself.
Watching the HRD I could see where people get the idea that he is egocentric but that was definitely more playing to the crowd and the moment.
Wonder what these crippy Mets fans think about this.. 😉
Not sure why they thought this would work out.
Welcome Back LEWIS!!! Can’t Wait for Haniger! LETS GO!!
Mariners stadium has that bean-town vibe
$700,000 for 4 games. Good investment by the Mariners. Got their money’s worth.
They are only paying the prorated amount, so it is just a fraction of that.
17 games. You know, this information is available on-line.
OK, stand corrected. 6 for 48 with 23 strikeouts. Nice going, Mariners.
Maybe it is time to hang up the old cleats for Mr. Upton
It was time in Detroit
Some people complain of the return Detroit got from Angels in that trade. But really they were lucky to find someone to take that contract.
Orioles trade Mancini, pick up Upton. That kind of battling slash line is about all-star level for the Orioles.
Watch your tongue there mister. Those O’s just could get a WC. I don’t think they will necessarily but they have quite the bright outlook.
And this is why this organization never has to actually try to compete. They trot out the same garbage every season and you all eat it all up. You can’t see the reality of the situation.
They sell you on “the youth.” Meanwhile, these players are already in their mid to late 20’s and they’ll never resign them because they’ll cost too much.
They sell you on the young arms that are always just around the corner and the HUGE potential they have. Only to have them blow out their arms in the minors and be ruined by the time they reach the majors.
They won’t sign an ace and instead get a guy like Lyles. They’ll strike gold with him which is based more on sheer luck than anything else, but you’ll all think this is the norm.
Then you look at the bullpen which is getting completely overworked and by the time the end of the season comes along they’ll be gassed and broke down.
This is the Baltimore Orioles. If you believe otherwise, you just haven’t been paying attention.
wake up, the orioles are right in the middling of turning the rebuild around
Yes, and in another 20 years maybe they will finally be there! Wooo hoo!
Ed “the uninformed” one
Mmhmm. Just keep watching the Orioles. I know you won’t come back and admit you’re wrong and congratulate me when you figure out I’m right. So I will just tell you beforehand, I told you so.
I’ve predicted so many things correctly for the Orioles over the years I’ve lost count. None of them are popular, because the reality of the team is a lot more dire than what the kool aid drinkers want to believe. But reality is a harsh Mistress.
I am “uninformed.” Then how am I always right? Easy, because I know what I am talking about and understand the information I am digesting.
Upton to his hometown team, the Norfolk Tides…
It amazes me some of these players. Upton has to be a bit embarrassed the game has passed him by. The couple hundred K he will earn will probably get lost in his couch. I know love of the game but does that mean much when you are a skeleton of yourself? Take $2 mill of the $24 you are getting and spend a month on a private island with a bartender bringing you your favorite adult beverage. Lay in the sun go swimming in the beautiful blue water. Learn to scuba dive and go catch dinner. Better to leave a year early than what 4-5 too late?
Nats might be a good place for Upton if they do a massive sell off.
Man there wasn’t much there from what we saw. He did hit a huge home run for us that won a game in the bottom of the 8th. He can definitely still get a hold of a fastball over the plate. It’s everything else that he’s struggling with
Another poster child of a long term deal ending badly.
Well said!
Another poster child of Angels deals ending badly too, haha
Another success of the high paying low achieving Anaheim Angels, Not from LA!
Their best hats where the CA hats. It was the year after Seattle ran them down when they choked the last month. Choke Artist hats seemed fitting.
Time to retire with grace and dignity.
CLE has a need, but they won’t do it. Not because of the price tag (for a change), but Upton’s numbers are god awful, and they’d have to outright someone off the 40-man to do it. Not worth it.
Cleveland has a need for an OF upgrade.. that is not Upton though. They are better off with what they got. The last time Upton hit well was 2018 and he is an awful defender. I wouldn’t even want him at AAA taking away at bats from guys.
Maybe they can borrow the Brownies new QB. I hear he will have some free time. He could play the outfield not sure about hitting. Unless he thought they were masseuse I hear he has a special way to hit on them.
Was it needed to bring Deshaun Watson drama into this?
There you have it folks the painful rendition is here.
Just another pathetic long term contract for a position player made by the Angels. Upton has been way, way below replacement level for the past 4 seasons. The Angels need pitching…. so instead sign Rendon for 35mil per year when a dozen other good 3rd baseman could have been had for a small fraction of that.
The Angels have the worst team building philosophy in the history of the game. Which is all the more pathetic since they have the 2 greatest players since Willie Mays.
It’s all on Moreno. Look north to Chavez Ravine. Copy that model or sell the team to someone who has a clue.
Mets are looking for a DH
Upton is a poster boy for the decline MLB players experience after their age 30 season. Angels are bitten by expensive over 30 FA far too often. When will Arte learn?
It is Dipoto’s fault. Haven’t you heard them still blaming him? I wonder how that talk about being way better than Seattle is going? Kind of quite on the boards lately.
Upton should retire after this season. He’s been a mediocre player his whole career despite the hype. He has totally lost his game at this point.
Adding Kyle Lewis is like making a big trade without giving up anything
One could argue as I look around , a healthy Lewis , Hani, with Julio best outfield in mlb if not the most exciting !
4 straight seasons of negative WAR for a guy who was a five-time All Star. Over $200M in lifetime earnings. To paraphrase Indiana Jones, “He aged poorly”
Scott Servais said on a number of occasions that he was impressed with Upton’s demeanor and presence in the clubhouse; he really provided a veteran example to the young dudes like Julio about how to go about your business behind the scenes. So cudos Mr. Upton thank you for your professionalism and happy travels + !
I can’t believe he didn’t want to stick around and win a World Series with the Mariners a few months from now. Big mistake.
Give it a rest already. It’s over, man.
I do remember that the M’s had interest in Upton a few years back though Upton was in a position to nullify the deal.. He now doesn’t look confident in the batters box you could see the hand writing on the wall he was there only till Lewis came back.