B.J. Upton and the Atlanta Braves have reportedly reached an agreement on a contract, pending a physical. USA Today's Bob Nightengale is (one of many) reporting that the deal is for five years, worth between $70 million and $75 million.
B.J. Upton, Braves reportedly reach agreement, pending physical
The Atlanta Braves and B.J. Upton have reportedly agreed on a five-year, $70-75 million contract.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Upton has spent the first eight years of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, and was eligible for free agency for the first time this winter. Upton hit .246/.298/.454 with the Rays in 2012, with 28 home runs and 31 stolen bases.
Upton will replace Michael Bourn for the Braves, who is also a free agent. Bourn hit .274/.348/.391 for the Braves in 2012, with nine home runs and 42 stolen bases.
Since becoming a full-time player in 2007, Upton has been worth an average of 3.9 fWAR per year. Though Upton has never reached superstar status, he has consistently been a very good player for the last six seasons.
The Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals were both linked to Upton, but will have to look toward alternative options now.
While the deal has not officially been announced by the Braves, Upton has taken the liberty of making his choice known via his Twitter avatar, changed on Wednesday evening.
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