B.J. Upton to sign with Atlanta

[Rich the Giants fan]

Sources are reporting the deal at 5-years, $75.25 million.

That's some serious dough for some serious mediocrity.

Ok, so he's only 28 still, but in 8 big league seasons he has a .255/.336/.422 career line. Over his last four years, and 2,500 plate appearances, that line drops to .242/.316/.420. Defense? UZR shows a steady decline in his abilities, going from 7.8 in 2008 to 6.7, 1.4, 1.4 and then -2.4 last year. Plus/Minus, however, seems to indicate the "drop" wasn't from very high up to begin with.

+/- 2008: -10
2009: -1
2010: -22
2011: -12
2012: -4

He did average 20 HR a year and 69 RBI the last four seasons....ummm....wow? But wait, there were those 38 SB a year he's averaged over the past four seasons. That's got to be worth $15MM a year, right?

#BravesFail

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8687612/bj-upton-tampa-bay-rays-agrees-deal-atlanta-braves-says-source

[Rich the Giants fan]

Over the past four seasons Upton has averaged 135 hits a year and 162 strikeouts.

[RaysFan_98]

Can i cry? I am gonna miss upton bad

[Rich the Giants fan]

Over the past four seasons Upton has averaged 135 hits a year and 162 strikeouts.

And 452 outs.

[SamtheBravesFan]

At this point, I could care less whom is playing for them. They clearly don't mind having a high-strikeout lineup, as Upton, Freeman, Uggla and Heyward do lots and lots of it.

[Blue387]

I can see the Braves regretting this move in a few years.

[RaysFan_98]

BJ's D in CF alone makes him great IMHO its simply spectacular. And then an added threat when he gets on base. He may be a streaky hitter but when he gets hot he can carry a team.

[GiambiJuice]

Upton's not a great player but this deal seems pretty fair. I mean, compare it with Jayson Werth's or Vernon Wells' contracts and it's a bloody bargain.

[RaysFan_98]

Upton's not a great player but this deal seems pretty fair. I mean, compare it with Jayson Werth's or Vernon Wells' contracts and it's a bloody bargain.

I disagree with Upton not being good.

[GiambiJuice]

I disagree with Upton not being good.

I didn't say he's not good. I said he's not great. There's a big difference.

[Buczilla]

$15 million for a player who is a downgrade over the three starting OFers they already have? This is a stupid signing no matter how you cut it.

[Los Bravos]

I'm enjoying getting advice on stupid player moves from Mets and Pirates fans.

[Buczilla]

I'm enjoying getting advice on stupid player moves from Mets and Pirates fans.

Right now this Pirate fan can see Pedro Alvarez licking his chops thinking to himself, $20M per easy....with Scott Boras thinking the same.

[Rich the Giants fan]

BJ's D in CF alone makes him great IMHO its simply spectacular. And then an added threat when he gets on base. He may be a streaky hitter but when he gets hot he can carry a team.

UZR shows him in steady decline and +/- shows him to be below average. His career batting line shows him to be mediocre, at best. Not worth $15MM by any standard, if you ask me.

[RaysFan_98]

UZR shows him in steady decline and +/- shows him to be below average. His career batting line shows him to be mediocre, at best. Not worth $15MM by any standard, if you ask me.

I don't put much stock in Saber having watched him grow into the player he is i just gotta say i disagree and to the Batting line i think that is in part because the Rays hitting coach (Derrick Shelton) Sucks and if the Braves hitting coach is good and can work with Upton i think BJ will become a 30/30 player with a .290+ BA