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Detroit Tigers Team Notes Over 3 Million Views!!! Thankyou!

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Lynn Henning of the Detroit News breaks down the series of events that led to the Tigers? signing of Justin Upton to a six-year, $132.75MM contract today. As Henning notes, owner Mike Ilitch went into the club?s annual offseason holiday break with some reservations about the concept of a Cameron Maybin/Tyler Collins platoon in left field. By the time Tigers? brass returned to their offices, Ilitch was committed to signing one of Upton, Yoenis Cespedes or Alex Gordon to upgrade in left field. Tigers scouts and analysts went to work on making as informed a decision as possible, and GM Al Avila consulted with assistant Alan Trammel and Tigers broadcaster Kirk Gibson about their personal experiences with Upton from the trio?s days together in Arizona. Henning notes that Detroit also considered Chris Davis, as Jon Heyman reported, but ultimately concerns over his ability to handle left field at Comerica Park eliminated him from the fold. Upton?s age and superior on-base percentage appear to have been focal points in the decision, though Henning notes that Cespedes was under serious consideration until last week. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted the same yesterday, noting that Detroit negotiated with both Upton and Cespedes simultaneously before deciding on Upton.

Upton?s agent, Larry Reynolds, said at today?s press conference that they offered the Tigers a pair of scenario?s: a longer-term deal without an opt-out clause and the six-year deal with a two-year opt-out that Upton ultimately signed (links to Twitter via MLB.com?s Jason Beck). Reynolds adds that Upton didn?t sign with Detroit to be a Tiger for only two years, stating, ?Justin?s been on enough teams.? Of course, if Upton enjoys two healthy and productive seasons in Detroit in 2016-17, it?d be a surprise if he didn?t again test the open market in advance of his age-30 season.
The Tigers might not yet be done adding pieces, Beck tweets. At today?s press conference, Avila told reporters, ?I?d still like to have more depth in pitching. We?re adequate right now.? An addition to the rotation seems unlikely, at least on a Major League deal, though the team could reasonably pursue some depth on a minor league deal or look to add one more piece to the bullpen mix.
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