MLB Notes: Tigers give Justin Upton $132.75M for 6 years

Share

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $132.75 million, six-year contract with free-agent outfielder Justin Upton, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke Monday night on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. The deal was pending a physical, and Upton can opt out after two seasons.

The 28-year-old Upton gives the Tigers another powerful bat in the middle of the lineup and fills a need in left field after Detroit traded slugger Yoenis Cespedes at the deadline last year. Upton hit .251 with 26 home runs and 81 RBIs for the San Diego Padres last season.

It was another big move for the Tigers, who are coming off a last-place finish in 2015 but signed right-hander Jordan Zimmermann earlier this offseason. Detroit also traded for closer Francisco Rodriguez, but it was unclear how high the Tigers would be willing to increase a payroll that also includes big commitments to Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Victor Martinez, Anibal Sanchez and Ian Kinsler (see full story).

Reds: Pete Rose to be inducted into team's HOF
CINCINNATI -- Pete Rose is headed into the team hall of fame in his hometown, the Cincinnati Reds said Tuesday.

The Reds' announcement came after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred last month rejected Rose's application for reinstatement. Manfred concluded that baseball's career hits leader continued to gamble even while seeking to end the lifetime ban imposed in 1989 for betting on numerous Reds games while playing for and managing the team.

The Reds' team hall of fame induction is planned for the weekend of June 24-26 in the 74-year-old longtime Reds' hometown.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 adopted a rule keeping anyone on the permanently ineligible list off the ballot. Rose said after Manfred's decision that he still held out hope he would one day be inducted into the national hall (see full story).

Marlins: Gordon's $50M deal finalized
MIAMI -- Dee Gordon put his signature on a $50 million, five-year contract with the Miami Marlins as more than a dozen relatives watched from the front row at a news conference Monday.

"My family stuck with me through the hard times," Gordon said. "I'm glad they're here for the good times."

The 5-foot-11 Gordon is a frustrated basketball player who switched to baseball in college and became a late bloomer. Last season he led the NL in batting (.333), hits (205) and stolen bases (58), won a Gold Glove at second base and made the All-Star team (see full story).

Royals: Cain gets $17.5M, 2-year deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals finalized their $17.5 million, two-year deal with Lorenzo Cain on Monday, buying out the All-Star outfielder's final two years of arbitration.

Cain will receive $6.5 million this season and $11 million next season.

The 29-year-old Cain is coming off the best year of his six-year career, hitting .307 with 16 homers and 72 RBIs. He also was second in the American League with 28 stolen bases, and he became the first Royals player since 2011 to eclipse 100 runs scored.

The result of that landed Cain third in voting for the AL MVP award.

Contact Us