On the day that college football is set to begin, the baseball world made some noise. Rosters were set to expand on September 1st, but at the August waiver trade deadline, the Tigers traded All-Star outfielder Justin Upton to the Angels. Upton is having the best season of his career, hitting .279, 28 home runs, 94 RBIs, and .362 OBP. The Tigers will be receiving right-handed pitcher Grayson Long, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Angels are making a September push for the postseason
The Angels weren't supposed to be very good in 2017, but somehow find themselves just one game back of the Twins for the final Wildcard spot, however.
It is even more surprising that the Angels are still in the race when they were without arguably the best player in the game in Mike Trout for almost seven weeks earlier this season, due to a UCL tear in his left thumb.
Justin Upton is scheduled to make $88.5 million over the next four years, but he could opt out of his deal after this summer. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the opt-out hasn't been discussed and the Angels will acquire him regardless. With the opt-out not being discussed, that also means the return for the Tigers could be limited.
Source adds to The Athletic: Upton opt-out not part of talks. #Angels apparently prepared to acquire him regardless. Likely limits return.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 31, 2017
Even if Upton does opt-out, it is going to be a fun September in Los Angeles.
The trade could certainly give the Angels one of the best power hitting trios in the MLB. It is not going to be fun for opposing pitchers to face Trout, Upton, and Pujols.
The Tigers are officially in rebuild mode
The Tigers were debating starting their rebuild back in the offseason, but decided to give their team one more chance together.
Of course, the season hasn't gone the way they imagined and they are currently sitting at 58-74 and in fourth place in the AL Central.
Justin Upton is actually the second player to be traded by the Tigers, however. Before the July 31st deadline they traded pending free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez to the Diamondbacks.
This offseason, we should start seeing more Tigers being traded.
Justin Verlander has been in trade rumors for the past year and we could finally see it happen. Second basemen Ian Kinsler could be another trade candidate, along with future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera.
The Tigers have to be encouraged about the return on Justin Upton after receiving the Angels' ninth ranked prospect in right-handed pitcher Grayson Long. It might not be as much as they wanted, but it is a solid addition.
