Expected to be one of the top hitters available this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels worked quickly to retain outfielder Justin Upton. On Thursday, both sides agreed to a five-year deal, Los Angeles Times' reporter Bill Shaikin first reported word of the agreement.
Upton, who the Angels acquired on August 31in exchange for prospect Grayson Long and a player to be named later, held an opt-out clause that would have allowed him to become a free agent this offseason. Instead, Los Angeles agreed to add a fifth-year onto his existing contract, per Shaikin's report.
Under his new deal, Upton will make $106 million over the next five seasons. He'll make $22.125 million over each of the next four seasons and $17.5 million in the final year of his deal as a 33-year-old.
For the second consecutive season, Upton posted 35-plus home runs and drove in 85-plus runs. But Upton posted some of the best numbers in his career this past season with career highs in home runs (35), RBIs (109) and the third-best OBP of his career (.361).
Now with Upton on board, the Angels can focus their attention on upgrading its bullpen and third base spot this offseason. For a team that often received criticism for not surrounding Mike Trout with more help, they've done a much better job of it recently.