Tigers GM: Adding Upton makes us contenders

The Detroit Tigers have officially strengthened their outfield for the foreseeable future, finalizing a six-year contract with 28-year-old outfielder Justin Upton on Wednesday.

Upton and the Tigers agreed to the deal Monday. It will pay the former first-overall pick $132.75 million, and also contains an opt-out clause after the 2017 season.

"It's already a great lineup, and I think adding me is going to do nothing but strengthen it," Upton told reporters at his introductory press conference. "I think what sold me mostly is (owner Mike Ilitch) is a guy that wants to win ballgames, wants to win a championship."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The addition of Upton is icing on the cake in a fine offseason for general manager Al Avila, who also bolstered the team's rotation by adding Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey, restored the team's bullpen with the additions of Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Lowe, and Justin Wilson, and also acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Atlanta Braves.

Avila also credited Ilitch's passion for winning as a main reason behind the Upton signing.

"Mr. I was a driving force here and a big, big thank you to him for putting this team back in championship-caliber competition," he said. "I thought anything was possible; (Ilitch) has the history of that.

"Somewhere around December, close to Christmas time, he started mentioning to me that he's worried about our offense. He said 'I appreciate you trying to tweak it, but I want more than a tweak.' If we were going to do anything, (Upton) was No. 1 on our list."

Upton hit .251/.336/.454 with 26 homers and 81 RBIs for the San Diego Padres last season and will join a Tigers lineup that already consists of sluggers Miguel Cabrera, J.D Martinez, and Victor Martinez.

In a corresponding move, the Tigers designated infielder Jefry Marte for assignment to make room for Upton on the 40-man roster.