Detroit Tigers: Justin Upton is a better long-term fit than J.D. Martinez

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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 27: Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after hitting a two run home run to left field scoring teammate J.D. Martinez #28 during the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels on August 27, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers outfielders Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez are producing. Both could also in the offseason via free agency. Hypothetically, if Detroit has to pick one, it should be Upton.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Justin Upton has been key for the team in turning things around in the last week.

After an eight-game losing streak dropped the team in the standings, manager Brad Ausmus tinkered with the lineup, moving Upton up to the third spot in the lineup. Upton has hit third in every game he’s played in since last Sunday’s streak-snapping victory over the Padres.

During the last week, the outfielder leads all Detroit position players in WAR, and has logged a 137 wRC+, a .912 OPS and a .316 ISO.

Of course, Upton’s stats on the season aren’t too shabby either.

Only Alex Avila has a higher WAR than the former first-overall pick on the year among Tigers position players.

Upton has also turned in a 125 wRC+, a .851 OPS and a .233 ISO. He’s batting .267 with a 10.8 walk percentage to go along with five stolen bases and a team-leading 15 home runs.

The ex-Diamondback isn’t the only corner outfielder off to a strong start, as J.D. Martinez is also destroying baseballs at a regular rate with a sky-high .342 ISO and a .640 slugging percentage.

Martinez currently ranks just behind Avila, Upton and tied with Ian Kinsler among position players with a 1.6 WAR.

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 29: Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers rounds the bases past second baseman Ramon Torres #46 of the Kansas City Royals after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Comerica Park on June 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Offensive forces

Both are obvious offensive juggernauts that can carry an offense.

Tigers fans saw Upton do it down the stretch as the 29-year-old mashed 18 home runs and drove in 41 runs to go along with a 1.160 OPS in the season’s final 37 games to pull Detroit with a stones’ throw of a playoff berth.

Detroit faithful have also seen Martinez’ ability to make a significant impact in a short stretch this season.

The slugger has accumulated 30 runs scored, 29 RBI, 23 walks, 13 home runs, nine doubles and a pair of triples in just 178 plate appearances.

However, baseball isn’t all about offense. If it was, the Tigers likely would have multiple World Series trophies to show for the last decade.

Defensive acumen

Defensive and base running duties factor into things. On both accounts, Justin Upton has been significantly better.

This makes him a much better long-term fit in the Motor City in the hypothetical situation where Detroit are forced to decide between the two All-Stars.

In 2017 alone, Upton has been the superior defensive option.

Justin Upton 2017 defensive metrics: 9 DRS, 8.9 UZR/150, 3.6 UZR, 6.0 RngR, -1.8 ARM.

J.D. Martinez 2017 defensive metrics: -7 DRS, -7.5 UZR/150, -1.7 UZR, -0.7 RngR, -1.6 ARM.

Martinez’ arm has obviously showed better than Upton’s this season, but the latter has been much more efficient in covering ground, making plays and—most importantly—saving runs.

Base running

In the last calendar year, Upton has been one of the Detroit Tigers’ better base-running outfielders, with a 1.1 UBR number.

His -0.2 BsR certainly isn’t anything to write home about, but it is a significantly better number than Martinez’ -2.8.

SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 20: Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run off of starting pitcher Ariel Miranda #37 of the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a game at Safeco Field on June 20, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Money

Heading into the offseason, Martinez will hit free agency. Per Spotrac, he’s making $11.75 million this season.

This is all purely speculative obviously, but it seems like the outfielder will be in for a hefty pay raise given his elite offensive ability.

Upton, meanwhile, is making $22.125 million this year according to Spotrac. If he opts into the rest of his contract, he’ll be making that same rate per year for the next four seasons.

Obviously if he opts out, he’ll reach free agency, but there’s at least somewhat of a known factor in terms of what Upton’s salary could be moving forward.

If he continues to hit in the middle of Detroit’s lineup and provide solid defense and base running, $22.125 million seems a perfectly reasonable rate for Upton.

Over course, the Tigers could conceivably end up keeping both outfielders.

Money due to Mike Pelfrey, Mark Lowe and Francisco Rodriguez will come off the books, and Anibal Sanchez is another potential free agent should Detroit decide to buy out the last year of his deal.

In other words, there might be some extra cash to play with.

Next: See where recent draft picks Alex Faedo, Rey Rivera, Sam McMillan,Joey Morgan rank among Tigers' top 20 prospects

However, if the Detroit Tigers have to pick between one of the two, they should go with Justin Upton due to his better all-around play.

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