Justin Upton reworks contract to stay with Angels
Slugging outfielder signs on for 5 years, $106 million US
Outfielder Justin Upton is staying with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing to a new five-year, $106-million US contract.
The Angels announced the deal Thursday with Upton, their late-season trade acquisition.
Upton was owed $88.5 million over the next four seasons as part of a six-year deal worth $132.75 million he signed with the Detroit Tigers. The Angels acquired him on Aug. 31.
I am currently out of the country but wanted to say thank you to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Angels</a> for the opportunity to come back to Anaheim. <a href="https://t.co/V4clqFw3c7">pic.twitter.com/V4clqFw3c7</a>
—@JUST_JUPUpton had the right to opt out of that deal for free agency after the World Series. With a new contract that supersedes his old deal, Upton decided to stay.
He had career highs of 35 homers and 109 runs batted in this past season, and he is a Gold Glove finalist in left field. He fits ideally in the Angels' outfielder alongside Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun.
Upton's new contract backloads money and will save the team more than $6 million next season and $4 million in 2019. He also receives a full no-trade provision.
Upton's deal adds $17.5 million in guaranteed money and an additional season.
He gets an $8.5 million signing bonus that is payable on Jan. 21, 2022, and salaries of $16 million next season, $18 million in 2019, $21 million in 2020, $23 million in 2021 and $19.5 million in 2022.