Justin Upton is a star.
Apparently, so is Josh Byrnes. The GM reportedly has reached an agreement with the 22-year-old slugger for six years at around $50 million.
Upton would have been eligible for arbitration at the end of 2010, and if he puts up the numbers that many believe he will (.300 with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases from the three hole), this extension can only be applauded.
Upton is one of the quickest and most talented rising stars in the game, and while some may say dedicating that much money to someone so young is a risk, others, including myself, believe that if they delayed this, perhaps until they had to deal with arbitration, they would have been forced to come up with more money to keep the right fielder.
If Upton continues improving this year, and he most likely will, his stock will keep rising, and he will be worth (and asking for) much more money than the little over $8 million a year he recently received, long before 2015 comes around.
If you’re still a little unsure about Upton's talent, consider this: Matt Holliday just cashed in $120 million this offseason over the next seven years to play for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In his second full season with the Colorado Rockies, he posted a stat line (AVG- HR-RBI-R-SB) that read .307-19-87-68-14 in 125 games. In Upton’s second full year with the D’Backs (last year) he put up .300-26-86-84-20 in 138 games. Holliday slugged .505; Upton slugged .532. Holliday’s OBP was .361; Upton’s was .366.
With all that in mind, I really think this deal was the best for both parties. Without the security of this deal, Upton would be pressured to perform a little more than I think necessary.
He is a fluid, contact hitter who utilizes his skills to produce more than his mental makeup right now, which will develop in time. Worrying about arbitration at the end of the year could possibly lead to too much thinking, and possible slumps. Now that he is locked up at a great salary, he can focus all of his attention on producing.
For the Diamondbacks, I think you already know how this is a great and timely deal for them. They just locked up one of the best right fielders in the game for a relative bargain.
Upton will still only be 28 when this six year deal expires after 2015, which will undoubtedly send him to free agency in the absolute prime of his career. I’m fine with that; it’s too far off to worry about locking him up for longer than they just did.
Justin Upton makes me excited about this season and will do the same for many to come, but the reason behind it is Josh Byrnes, so hats off to a GM who knows when to lock up talent when he sees it.
To me, he is the real star of this deal.
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