Justin Upton, Los Angeles Angels agree on five-year, $106M deal

ANAHEIM, CALIF. – Justin Upton and the Los Angeles Angels have decided to stick together.

The star outfielder is staying with the club that acquired him with one month left in the regular season, agreeing to a $106 million, five-year contract Thursday that adds one season and $17.5 million in guaranteed money.

Upton was owed $88.5 million over the next four seasons as part of a $132.75 million, six-year deal he signed with the Tigers. The Angels acquired him Aug. 31 for their playoff push, but Los Angeles finished 80-82 and missed the postseason.

Upton had the right to opt out of that deal for free agency, and he likely would have been one of the most coveted offensive players on the market. Baseball's business season began when 149 players became free agents only nine hours after the Astros won their first World Series title.

"We felt good about how well we knew him," Angels General Manager Billy Eppler said. "Having him here for that month at the end of the season gave us a deeper look, and it gave him a deeper look at us. Both parties wanted to keep this union together, and we were able to do that."

Upton is traveling outside the country, but he posted a statement on his Twitter account praising Eppler and Angels owner Arte Moreno.

"After talking with Billy Eppler several times it was evident to me that Arte and the whole organization is as committed to winning as I am and that was the biggest factor in my decision to come back," Upton wrote. "I'm excited to get going and appreciate all the support I've received from Angels fans this offseason."

"Justin embodies our offensive philosophy, which is to get on base and hit the ball hard," Eppler said. "He's shown a knack for doing that, and he's got the power and the on-base skills that we covet, as well as the character and the professional approach necessary to be a key member of our core moving forward."

Eppler spoke with Upton and his representatives throughout October, and the talks intensified over the past four days with the end of the World Series looming. Even after being burned in the past by multiyear deals for veterans, the Angels didn't hesitate to make a long-term commitment to the 30-year-old veteran.