The Arizona Diamondbacks announced in a press conference this afternoon that they have come to terms with Justin Upton to keep him in Arizona though 2015.
According to a report from USA Today’s Inside Pitch, The breakdown of the deal is as follows: $1.25 million signing bonus and $500,000 this year, $4.25 million in 2011, $6.75 million in 2012, $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015.
The Sporting News broke the signing bonus down further reporting Upton will receive half of that bonus on April 15 and the remaining amount on July 15.
The 22-year-old Upton is an outfielder for the Diamondbacks but played shortstop in high school at Great Bridge High in Chesapeake, Virginia. After being switched to the outfield by the Diamondbacks, he is said to have difficulties gauging fly balls but is considered by many to have one of the stronger arms in baseball.
Upton is a solid hitter at the plate, last year hitting .300 with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs.
The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Upton as the first overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. At the young age of 19, he was called up to the majors in 2007.
“Justin’s age (22) played a major factor in the decision,” Larry Reynolds, Upton’s agent said. “This financially sets him up for life, and the bottom line is that he’ll still be a free agent at a time he’s just 28 years old.”
The six-year deal is the second largest contract in Diamondback history. The largest was Randy Johnson’s four-year $53.4 million deal in 1999. Had Upton not signed the deal, he would have been eligible for salary arbitration after this season.
In addition to writing her Chicago Cubs column for Examiner.com,Miriam Romain has been published in several Cubs annuals by Maple Street Press and is a contributor to SportsClimax.com . She is also writing a book with the working title “Summers at Wrigley with my Dad.”
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