Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves held a press conference
Thursday to introduce outfielder B.J. Upton, who signed a five-year contract
with the club.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the pact is reported to be worth
$75.25 million
"We're excited today to announce the signing of B.J. Upton to a five-year
deal," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He brings a great defensive
dimension and also power to the center field position."
Upton completed the 2012 season for the Rays with a .246 average, but slugged
a career-best 28 home runs, along with 29 doubles and 78 RBI in 146 games. He
also added 31 stolen bases and a .454 slugging percentage but struck out a
career-high 169 times.
In his eight-year pro career, all with the Tampa franchise, Upton is a .255
batter who has compiled 118 homers, 202 doubles and 447 RBI over 966 contests.
"I'm excited and looking forward to a lot of championship seasons," Upton
said. "This is my new home now, and this is where I will be dedicated to for
the next five years."
His best production in five postseason series came in a seven-game triumph in
the 2008 ALCS vs. Boston, where he batted .321 with four homers among his nine
hits and drove in 11 runs.
The Sports Network