The Atlanta Braves held a press conference Thursday to introduce outfielder B.J. Upton, who signed a five-year contract with the club.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the pact is reported to be worth $75.25 million.
"We're excited today to announce the signing of B.J. Upton to a five-year deal," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He brings a great defensive dimension and also power to the center field position."
Upton completed the 2012 season for the Rays with a .246 average, but slugged a career-best 28 home runs, along with 29 doubles and 78 RBI in 146 games. He also added 31 stolen bases and a .454 slugging percentage but struck out a career-high 169 times.
In his eight-year pro career, all with the Tampa franchise, Upton is a .255 batter who has compiled 118 homers, 202 doubles and 447 RBI over 966 contests.
"I'm excited and looking forward to a lot of championship seasons," Upton said. "This is my new home now, and this is where I will be dedicated to for the next five years."
His best production in five postseason series came in a seven-game triumph in the 2008 ALCS vs. Boston, where he batted .321 with four homers among his nine hits and drove in 11 runs.
