Braves Sign BJ Upton

[EDGECRUSHER]

http://www.rotoworld.com/stats/mlb/3872/bj-upton

5 years/$75.25 Million. The link I included shows his career stats. This is an insane contract, even with prices for bats being high as they are. In what way is he worth this? Here are links to both Upton and Nick Swisher who is also not worth this much money:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swishni01.shtml

10.1 WAR the past 4 years. This counts defense, baserunning, all that.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/uptonbj01.shtml

7.2 WAR the past 4 years. Fewer HR, RBI, OBP, OPS. There is nothing here to suggest that he deserves this contract over Swisher other than age, which is a big factor to be honest. Nick is 31, BJ is 28. Still, I didn't think Swisher was going to get anything over 4 years/$54 Million. Upton just set the market and his price went up. A lot.

All it takes is one GM to screw it all up.

[el diablo]

Yep, and the Braves' GM screwed it up. I understand that they needed bats. But they already have a guy with a low BA, but can hit for power. His name, Dan Uggla.

[Landshark]

Yep, and the Braves' GM screwed it up. I understand that they needed bats. But they already have a guy with a low BA, but can hit for power. His name, Dan Uggla.

Now they've got their number 3 and 4 hitters set.  For a long time that is.   

[MaineDolFan]

I kind of like it.  75 / 5 = 15 million a season isn't the train wreck handed out lately (read: Carl Crawford). 

Remember that baseball is more than just an offensive game, Upton is a + defender.

[el diablo]

I kind of like it.  75 / 5 = 15 million a season isn't the train wreck handed out lately (read: Carl Crawford). 

Remember that baseball is more than just an offensive game, Upton is a + defender.

You and Landshark bring up valid points. The lineup is full of potential. I just wish Upton hit a little better for average. I wish Uggla hit better for average. If Heyward finally has that break out year. There's a lot of "ifs". They could've done worse. Go Braves!

[EDGECRUSHER]

WAR takes into account defense, so Swisher still beats him by a wide margin. Upton is not a bad player, but $75 Million isn't chump change. It's the type of salary that forces you to play a player, no matter how bad he plays and you never want your payroll to determine your lineup.

They may have Uggla and Upton locked up, but that's a hell of a price to pay for slightly above average.....sometimes.

[MaineDolFan]

No, it's not chump change at all.  But when you think on the terms of contracts you could move, this is one of them.  It isn't a contract which would cripple them.  If you HAD TO (later) you could move him.

By himself Upton isn't a piece that works.  When you add him to the whole picture on that roster (all of his tools, added to the picture of their roster), I really like this move a lot.  He really fits well there.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Yeah, it's only cash. It's probably better than trading for one year of Curtis Granderson and costing your team a bunch of prospects.

Now Shane Victorino signs for 3 years and $39 Million with Boston. I guess they are hoping for a bounce back season, it seems possible. When players go to LA they just stop hitting.

[MaineDolFan]

Kind of puzzling, all the way around.  The one thing about all of BOS's signings?  They aren't giving up any picks.

[Sunstroke]

I love BJ Upton, Justin Upton, and anyone else who may have popped out of Mrs Upton's 5-Tool Womb. Wish she would pop one out for my Padres...

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think the new rules state if you have a Bottom 10 record, you don't forfeit your first rounder when signing a top free agent.

[el diablo]

...and along comes the other Upton. Now I'm excited. Justin & B.J. Upton with Jason Hayward in the outfield. This team is loaded with potential. Problem is that right now, its only potential. If everything comes together, look the F out. But, its a big "if". Go Braves!

[Landshark]

...and along comes the other Upton. Now I'm excited. Justin & B.J. Upton with Jason Hayward in the outfield. This team is loaded with potential. Problem is that right now, its only potential. If everything comes together, look the F out. But, its a big "if". Go Braves!

Potential is the ugliest word in sports.  I think this lineup will do some damage at times, but will they do enough damage to justify all the money coming out of Ted Turner's cofers.

[Sunstroke]

I love every baby that ever popped out of Mrs Upton's 5-tool womb, and the Braves just became my "adopted" #2 team to cheer for.

[el diablo]

Potential is the ugliest word in sports.  I think this lineup will do some damage at times, but will they do enough damage to justify all the money coming out of Ted Turner's cofers.

Potential is the ugliest word in sports. But its the first step in becoming a contender. Look at it like this, there are 6 potential 20+ home run hitters. At the same time, they're not the Mets.