Michael Bourn was undoubtedly a stronger player than B.J. Upton in 2012, yet something surprising happened when free agency opened earlier this month; Bourn?s most recent team, the Braves, and his original team, the Phillies, both made Upton the priority in talks.
Did it have to do with the price tag? Bourn was seeking more money, but the figures were so astronomical with both that it hardly seemed likely to make all of the difference. Upton just got $15.05 million per year for five years from the Braves. Bourn was asking for a sixth year, but he never figured to do much better than the $75 million that Upton got.
It?s all really curious to me. I see Upton as the significantly better bet going forward, but I wasn?t really expecting the Braves or especially the Phillies to view it the same way. Upton is two years younger, which makes a real difference. Bourn, though, is the better fielder and the better leadoff candidate. Upton also has a reputation for not always hustling. No one seems to view him as a bad guy overall, but his head doesn?t always seem to be in the game. Bourn has no such reputation.
Anyway, most suspect the Phillies will now turn to Bourn. And maybe they will. Still, I don?t think they would have been all over Upton like they were if they were eager to pay Bourn?s price. They might mix in a changeup and target the less pricey Angel Pagan instead. They also haven?t ruled out bringing back Shane Victorino, though Victorino needs to get a whole lot more realistic about his salary demands first.
Bourn will still get his big payday, but now I suspect he may have to settle for a bit less than Upton got, whether it?s four years and $60 million or five years and $70 million.
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