Detroit Tigers: Breaking down the Justin Upton trade

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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: Shane Greene #61 and Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Money

Reportedly, the Detroit Tigers are saving some significant cash in the deal.

According to Spotrac, the former first-overall pick is making $22.125 million this season. Most of the money still owed to Upton this year may be coming off the books.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted the following about the reported deal:

"“The #Angels are picking up majority of Upton’s $22.5 million salary this year, and remaining $88.5 M after this season. He does have opt-out.”"

It’s also worth noting that MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweeted the following about the Upton deal on Wednesday afternoon:

"Source: Justin Upton determined he would likely opt-out after 2017 due to #Tigers rebuild; once he told club, trade talks picked up. @MLB.”"

Update:

FanRag Sports‘ Jon Heyman tweeted about the deal as well, adding some information on the money changing hands.

Heyman tweeted:

"“sources: tigers sending under $1M to angels in upton deal, which goes toward ’17. angels r responsible for next 4 yrs if he doesn’t opt out.”"

Purely from a financial standpoint, this is significant for the Tigers.

The team has shed some serious cash already after moving Martinez, Wilson and Avila. However, with Upton’s deal off the books, Detroit is in an excellent place moving forward.

It allows the team some much-need financial flexibility.

Some of the recently-freed up money could potentially be spent in the offseason on a short-term, reasonable deal for a veteran outfielder.

Said outfielder could provide cover until Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber are ready to play full time.

Additionally, the team could move the veteran for more prospects once Stewart and Gerber are in the Majors.

Some potential free agents who could fit the bill include old friends Rajai Davis, Curtis Granderson, Austin Jackson and Cameron Maybin.

Next: Even after Upton trade, Tigers still need to add starting pitching in the offseason

Other conceivable fits include Jarrod Dyson, Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Jon Jay and Melky Cabrera.

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