Outfielder Justin Upton remains unsigned at this late hour despite having a strong record of production at the plate and on the bases and despite his being quite young -- 28 -- as premium free agents go. As it turns out, Upton may have a different approach to the market in mind ...
From @JeffPassan: I hear Upton is going to sign for 1 year. If that's the case, there's absolutely no downside to doing a 1 year deal.
— Tim McKernan (@tmckernan) January 8, 2016
Interesting! Needless to say, Upton would be able to command a hefty salary on a one-year pact, and even then he'd be of interest to contenders/aspiring contenders looking for outfield help. Inking a one-year deal would also allow Upton to hit the market again next offseason, when the available crop of free agents will be much less impressive than this winter's. Upton would of course still be on the right side of age 30, and the thin supply side of the market could wind up putting more money in his pocket than if he signed a long-term deal right now.
Speaking of all that, the Steamer projection system tabs Upton for a 2016 batting line of .260/.343/467 with 38 homers and 12 stolen bases.
Developing!
