Detroit Tigers trade Justin Upton to Angels

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers are "close" to trading outfielder Justin Upton to the Angels, according to reports.

Jon Morosi reports the Tigers and Angels are in agreement on a trade for Upton. Upton is owed nearly $88 million over four years after this season. 

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Jerry Crasnick reports the Tigers will get pitcher Grayson Long from the Angels. Tigers will also send cash to L.A. in the deal this season.

The Tigers confirmed the trade in a press release Thursday afternoon:

“Grayson has been a standout player this season in the Southern League, that features some of the best prospects in baseball,” said Al Avila, Tigers Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Grayson is a workhorse-type starter who throws strikes and has a great makeup. Our scouts project him to be a starter at the Major League level. As for Justin Upton, he has been a consummate professional in his time here, and the Tigers wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”  

Upton, 30, has a .279 (128x459) batting average with a .904 OPS, 81 runs scored, 37 doubles, 28 home runs and 94 RBI over 125 games this season. Over two seasons with the Tigers, Upton has batted .260 (268x1029) with 162 runs scored, 65 doubles, 59 home runs and 181 RBI in 278 games.