The Angels have engaged in “ongoing conversations” with the representatives of free agent outfielder Justin Upton, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, meanwhile, hears that there’s “nothing happening” at present between those sides. (Twitter links.)
Los Angeles has long been said to be pursuing a new left fielder, and Upton would represent one of the best options available for that role. Of course, there are many others, and Morosi adds on Twitter that the club is still considering the idea of signing Jason Heyward and moving Kole Calhoun to right field. That possibility has long been talked about as an option, though there’s still little indication that talks have progressed (if they’ve taken place at all).
noahflesh
Oooooh
drewsalhus
solid pickup if it happens
RedFeather
NO!! Sign Heyward so My Cardinals and go after Alex Gordon or Crush Davis.
cubs101wins
Gordon will be a royal or a cub
JoshBoman2001
The Royals don’t want to pay him 20 million per year, he’s not worth it, he’s worth 10 or 15 and Ben Zobrist isn’t worth 15mil either he’s worth 8 to 10
Cletis
I agree with you Josh!
SaladFingers69
You’re both wrong.
RedFeather
If Heyward is worth “$200 Million over ten years” then Alex Gordon is worth well over 10 Million per year. I would say $75 over 5 years is about right.
diamond34
Heyward is good and all but he’s not worth 200$ million
jonscriff
Gordon is worth 14-16 mil and zobrist is deff worth 15 mil but at his age no… gonna end up like Beltran making 15 mil when 39 and not producing… I say 15 mil first 2 years and maybe drop it down to about 10 mil on last 2 years
lovethegame27
Upton would be nice
SoCalShu
1st choice Heyward(but will be too large of contract
2nd choice Gordon(b/c it will be the shortest contract)
3rd choice Upton(b/c he’s RH and will demand more then Gordon)
adrianmane
1) Yes it will probably require the longest contract because he’s 26. On the upside, it will likely include an opt-out after 3 or so years so he can get another 10 year contract, which will- at the worst- net the Angels a draft pick.
2) Gordon will require the shortest contract of the three because of his age.
3) Upton’s right-handedness has nothing to do with his higher compensation over Gordon and any thought of that is asinine. He will receive a larger contract solely based on his potential and age.
alkemist
Kole Calhoun plays right field, so if Heyward joins the club Calhoun would move to left; which he says he is agreeable too.
LightUptheHalo
I’m waiting on some movement here…….come on already.
Halo27
Me too! Let’s go Arte and Eppler!!
adogg5000
I honestly don’t like this at all. If we’re gonna go for a right handed we should go for cespedes. He’s a great outfielder with an amazing arm and plays a great LF. Plus he has been consistent with his bat his whole career and getting better the past 2 seasons. Upton had a great start to his career but has only been decreasing the past few seasons. Not to mention that signing upton comes with the loss of a draft pick whereas cespedes doesn’t. Don’t forget we just got rid of our top 2 prospects.
1) cespedes (power bat, great defense and amazing arm)
2) heyward (young amazing defense, ok bat)
3) upton (decent defense, good bat)
4) Gordon (will be over paid)
angelsforever
arte ADORES the guys who play on TV in the World Series. He will sign one of them.
brewers1970
The Angels would be better off trading for the Brewer’s Khris Davis.
3rdstrikemike
Cespedes… We will do just fine without trying to balance lefty righty crap… We need to upgrade and perform, clearly Heyward is the ultimate defender, but honestly, even if they dig deep for him, the chances of him staying the length of his contract are as rare as getting aidspox… The right thing to do, to win now and be structurally competetive without blowing a HayWad… Really, we can do it… Sign Cespedes, Freese, get what you can for Wilson, eat some of his contract, maybe get Kazmir, and be comfortable with what you have.. If a coach cant win with that lineup or team, well…
zkoenig
Personally, not a proponent of throwing out yet another large sum of cash at an older, big name free agent. With over 100 million committed to just four guys next season (one of which is a Ranger, and none of which is Trout), I’d be delighted if we solely went for reclamation projects and lower tier free agents. If we could figure out a way to stumble upon guys like Giavotella that can hit .270 with an OBP over ,300, I’d be happy. The only kind of way that I’d go bigger on a contract is if I could pleadingly convince someone to take on even half of Wilson’s salary, and even then, I doubt the biggest name guy is the answer. Even just a moderate replacement would be leaps, bounds, and lightyears away from the Matt Joyce disaster.