OC Register: Justin Upton saw potential for cold free agent market coming before staying with Angels

[AngelsWin.com]

TEMPE, Ariz. — Justin Upton sat on the verge of entering the free agent market before opting to stay with the Angels.

The decision looks pretty good now.

Upton, who agreed to a five-year, $106 million extension days before he could have opted out in November, remembered that it took him until late January to get a deal with the Detroit Tigers two winters ago.

“I kind of got a little taste of it two years ago when I was a free agent,” he said shortly after arriving at camp on Saturday. “I kind of understood the way the trend was going. At the end of the day, if you can avoid it, avoid it, because things are definitely changing.”

J.D. Martinez, a player often compared to Upton, is still a free agent, having repeatedly turned down a five-year, $125 million offer from the Boston Red Sox.

For Upton, the decision to stay with the Angels was not just about money, but about a comfort he found in the month he spent with the team after they acquired him from the Tigers on Aug. 31.

“I enjoyed the vibe of the clubhouse, how much fun the guys have playing the game,” Upton said. “That’s what you want to be part of. You want to be in the clubhouse, on the field, with these guys every day.”

The Angels certainly appreciated having Upton too. He hit seven homers with an .887 OPS in 27 games with them, completing a season in which he hit 35 homers with a .901 OPS.

He had four years and $88.5 million left on his deal, when he could have opted out. In exchange for staying, the Angels added a year and $17.5 million. Upton also restructured his deal to reduce his salary by about $5 million in 2018, which allowed the Angels to make other moves.

Now, with additions like Shohei Ohtani, Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart, Upton believes the Angels are primed to make a run at the postseason.

“On paper, obviously were a better team,” Upton said. “We still have to go out and play the games. As far as the way we look now, I think we have a really good ballclub that can contend.”

Upton said he’s eager to see if Ohtani can pull off the trick of pitching and hitting.

“I go out and long toss and I’m sore,” Upton said. “I can’t imagine pitching and playing the field.”

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[Ohtaniland]

Yep they should’ve left his contract alone and avoided the extra season. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Saw thread title.

Sae claude's avatar as last poster.

Opened to test my e.s.p., and wasnt let down.

[Ohtaniland]

2 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Saw thread title.

Sae claude's avatar as last poster.

Opened to test my e.s.p., and wasnt let down.

Well he wasn’t going to opt out. Eppler blinked on this one. He’ll be fine for us for a couple of seasons.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I dont think anyone predicted the offseason would go this way.

[Ohtaniland]

12 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

I dont think anyone predicted the offseason would go this way.

He knew.

“I kind of got a little taste of it two years ago when I was a free agent,” he said shortly after arriving at camp on Saturday. “I kind of understood the way the trend was going.

[Stradling]

This thread makes clod go from 6 to 12. 

Edited February 18, 2018 by Stradling

[Ohtaniland]

10 minutes ago, Stradling said:

This thread makes clod go from 6 to 12. 

It's already a done deal but it's clear that he probably would've stayed put with his original deal. 

[tdawg87]

It's really not though. 

But we'd be closer to the luxury threshold if he did.

[Inside Pitch]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

I dont think anyone predicted the offseason would go this way.

No, but Claude did guarantee that Upton WOULD opt out.   Now of course...  180....

[Stradling]

17 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

No, but Claude did guarantee that Upton WOULD opt out.   Now of course...  180....

No, he guaranteed that if he opted out that Arte would let him walk because he acquired him at his current contract. 

[Ohtaniland]

9 minutes ago, Stradling said:

No, he guaranteed that if he opted out that Arte would let him walk because he acquired him at his current contract. 

That’s exactly what I said. He never did opt out and I still think he would’ve made a huge mistake if he did. 

[IEAngelsfan]

5 hours ago, Stradling said:

This thread makes clod go from 6 to 12. 

Centimeters?

[Stradling]

2 minutes ago, IEAngelsfan said:

Centimeters?

Obviously, he’s Canadian, metric system and such.  But when I said it I actually meant like a clock. 

[Angelsfirst]