If the Detroit Tigers end up with Justin Upton for two years and $44.25 million, after which he opts out to become a free agent again, that might end up being the best possible outcome for both parties in the deal. Upton's age-28 and age-29 seasons should be peak offensive years, with 30-homer upside now that he's out of the San Diego Padres' pitcher-friendly home park, and the Tigers, who are loaded with big contracts that run into likely decline years, may get the short-term impact signing they couldn't otherwise get. Of course, it could all go south if Upton doesn't perform as expected, but I'm very bullish on his offensive output in the near term.

The Tigers' incumbent left fielder on Monday morning was probably Anthony Gose, a plus-plus runner who can handle center field but has never figured out how to make enough contact to become a major league regular and whose bat will not profile in left. Gose got off to a good start for the Tigers last year after they acquired him from Toronto for Devon Travis, but returned to his previous level of non-performance after that, hitting .225/.305/.334 from June 1 onward, .222/.317/.343 after the All-Star break -- put the endpoint wherever you like, the start of his 2015 season is the clear outlier. Tyler Collins offers more power and contact but less defensive value, and like Gose is left-handed. Mike Aviles hasn't sniffed a .300 OBP since 2010. It's fair to say Upton is replacing some basket of players in left field that would have added up to around zero value in 2016 and 2017.