Tigers agree to a six-year deal with Justin Upton

Simply, Ilitch is making it clear that he wants to win a World Series championship before he leaves this earth, and doesn’t mind eclipsing the $189 million luxury tax for the first time in franchise history.

The Detroit Tigers and free-agent outfielder Justin Upton have agreed to a six-year deal, according to multiple reports.

Tigers general manager Al Avila and manager Brad Ausmus flew to Phoenix last Friday for a meeting with Upton at his home, and negotiated throughout the weekend before reaching a deal Monday.

Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com reported via Twitter that the Tigers are close to a six-year deal with Upton. Heyward got an eight-year, $184 million contract from the Chicago Cubs, while Davis signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a seven-year deal worth $161 million.

Last season the 28-year-old Upton hit.251/.336/.454 (121 OPS+) with 26 home runs, 81 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games for the Padres. He has a. 271 average, an. 23 of his 26 homers were against right-handed pitching as well. He has 491 strikeouts in 1,666 at-bats over the past three seasons and has struck out in more than a quarter of his 4,329 career at-bats. Detroit now has J.D. Martinez in right field and an Anthony Gose/Cameron Maybin platoon in center field. This move nearly certainly means either Collins or Gose will start the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Upton was ranked as the seventh-best free agent in baseball this offseason by our own Grant Brisbee.