Justin Upton is expected to opt out of his current contract and become a free agent, according to a report.
Upton has four years and $88 million left on his current deal, which he signed as a free agent two years ago. His original deal with Detroit was for six years at over $132 million, but included the opt out after the second year.
Justin Upton hasn’t made public his decision, but it’s increasingly likely he will exercise opt-out and become a free agent. (1/2) @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 3, 2017
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi says there is a possibility he could opt out and negotiate an even better deal with the Angels.
For Upton, opting out could be mechanism by which he negotiates more favorable terms on a new deal with #Angels, where he enjoyed playing.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 3, 2017
The Angels acquired Upton in a trade with the Tigers in August. He batted only .244 with the Angels but smashed seven doubles and seven home runs and produced an .884 OPS. His 44 doubles, 35 homers, 109 RBIs and .901 OPS this season were all career-highs, which makes this a good time for the 30-year-old to try and secure another large contract.
The Angels sent two prospects — including a talented Double-A pitcher — to the Tigers to get 27 games out of Upton, and they didn’t even make the playoffs. Now they face the possibility of losing him entirely, though it is possible that they will be the ones to sign him as a free agent.
