Back in September, we took a look at some similar players and speculated that BJ Upton might command a 5-year, $75 million contract ($15M per year) as a free agent. The feeling at the time was that if the numbers were correct, there is no reason to think Upton would accept the Rays’ one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer.
Now, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, has spoken with an “unnamed expert” who predicts that Upton will get a 5-year, $70 million contract as a free agent.
The expert also predicts that Upton will sign the fourth-largest contract this off-season, behind Zack Greinke, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Bourn. Interestingly, two of those players are also center fielders, although certainly, Hamilton may end up as a corner outfielder on his new team.
3 Comments
Nothing better for professional athletes than a couple of ego freak, multi million/billionairs bidding on your services,
just so happens OUR owners aren’t into that action
Uptons Agent played the system looks like he’s going to come out a winner whether Upton ever gets another hit or not….
How far can Philly Fan throw a full cup of beer? Upton plays shallow,to catch those line drives…really…
It’s the batteries Upton better watch out for in Philly. Some of those fans have better arms than Cole Hamels. I can’t wait to see how they greet his first instance of jogging down the line.
You made a pretty good guess back in September. That $14M average salary is not far above the $13.3M offer we had to make to ensure a draft pick. So basically, it’s the extra years he gets at that salary level. I wouldn’t want to commit that many years to Upton at that salary either, so understandable move by the Rays.