B.J. Upton singled in a run on Tuesday in the Braves' 9-5 defeat of the Nationals.

Upton is 4-for-8 with a couple of doubles this spring. It looks like he'll hit fifth for the Braves, at least initially. Not only will that be good for his RBI numbers, but he'll still get plenty of chances to steal bases ahead of Dan Uggla and Brian McCann.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday that while he still envisions Andrelton Simmons as his leadoff hitter, there was a possibility that B.J. Upton could be used in that role.

Gonzalez named Simmons as his likely leadoff hitter earlier this offseason, but that was before the acquisition of Justin Upton shook things up in the lineup. Upton has had success in that role before, and it would be a boon to his fantasy value if it were to come to fruition.

Braves signed OF B.J. Upton to a five-year, $72.25 million contract.

It's the largest deal in franchise history, and it's awfully risky given Upton's weak recent on-base percentages. But the 28-year-old has an attractive combination of power and speed, and could truly have some big years ahead. Upton agreed to the deal on Wednesday afternoon, took a physical exam on Wednesday evening, and was introduced at a press conference Thursday at Turner Field. He'll start in center field for the Braves.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that B.J Upton's deal with the Braves is for five years and $75.25 million.

The contract will be made official once Upton passes a physical, and the 28-year-old outfielder will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday afternoon at Turner Field. Upton also drew serious interest this offseason from the Phillies, Nationals, Giants and Rangers, but the Braves' final offer beat them all. It should be a good fit, and Upton should remain a top fantasy outfielder.

B.J. Upton's newly-inked contract with the Braves will be worth between $70 and $75 million over the next five years, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Upton was pushing for a guaranteed sixth year but the Braves drew the line at five. It's still a nice score for a guy who finished the 2012 season with a measly .298 on-base percentage. The 28-year-old will start in center field for the Braves next season. He remains a highly valuable fantasy commodity because of his power and speed.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Braves have reached an agreement with free agent B.J. Upton.

The terms of the agreement are not yet known, and Upton still has to pass a physical. But this baby is all but official. Upton also drew interest this offseason from the Phillies, Rangers, Nationals and Giants before settling on Atlanta, where he will start in center field. The 28-year-old batted .246/.298/.454 with 28 homers and 31 stolen bases in 146 games this past summer for the Rays.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are "nearing the completion of a deal" with B.J. Upton.

Upton had been hoping to work out a contract before the start of the Winter Meetings, and it sounds as though he's going to get his wish. The 28-year-old outfielder also drew interest from the Phillies, Nationals, Giants and Rangers, but it appears that the Braves have stepped up -- rather uncharacteristically -- to lure him in. Upton hit 28 homers and stole 31 bases in 2012 for the Rays.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reports that the Braves have a "slight lead" in the battle for B.J. Upton.

Bowden says there is a "fascinating bidding war" developing between the Braves, Phillies and a mystery team. The Nationals, Giants and Rangers have also been linked to Upton previously. As the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin first reported and Bowden has confirmed, Upton is expected to make a decision this week after teams submit their final bid.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that B.J. Upton is "looking to make a decision this week."

It appears that the decision could come down to the Braves and Phillies. Both clubs view Upton as their top choice and have hosted him on free agent visits, with the outfielder proclaiming on Twitter afterwards how much love he's seen from the teams courting him. The Nationals, Giants and Rangers have also been linked to Upton, but this might be a two-horse race.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, B.J. Upton is scheduled to talk with at least three more teams, including the Nationals and possibly the Giants.

Upton has already made visits to Philadelphia and Atlanta as one of the most sought after free agents. He's also been linked to the Rangers, so perhaps they are the third team Topkin is referring to. The 28-year-old is likely to land a deal in the five-year, $75 million range.

The Nationals have had initial dialogue with free agent B.J. Upton and are expected to continue that communication in the near future.

Upton, who has already met with the Phillies and Braves, is generating a strong buzz on the free agent market. It seems likely that he'll meet with the Nationals in the coming weeks, and has also been linked to the Rangers.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies met with free agent outfielder B.J. Upton earlier this week.

It evidently preceded his trip to Atlanta, where Upton visited Thursday. The 28-year-old was evidently impressed by both visits, proclaiming on Twitter that he is "really blown away by the love other cities are showing me right now." Upton figures to at some point pay a visit to the Nationals, as well, and the Rangers are also reportedly interested.

B.J. Upton paid a free agent visit to the Braves Thursday.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Upton "spent Thursday afternoon and some of the early-evening hours" being courted by Braves general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez. Bowman writes that the Braves "appear to regard Upton as the most attractive outfielder available on the free agent market," given that Josh Hamilton "will be too expensive." The Phillies, Nationals and Rangers have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Upton.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that B.J. Upton is the Braves' top free agent target.

Bowman says the Braves "had visions" of signing both Upton and Torii Hunter. Now that Hunter is obviously no longer an option, it's possible Upton will be even more of a priority for them. They'll receive stiff competition from other clubs, though, with the Phillies, Nationals and Rangers being mentioned as possible suitors.

B.J. Upton has declined the Rays' $13.3 million qualifying offer.

An expected decision, but it's now official. The Rays will receive a compensatory draft pick when Upton signs elsewhere. The Phillies, Nationals and Rangers have been mentioned as possible fits.

B.J. Upton will decline the Rays' $13.3 million qualifying offer.

It was a foregone conclusion, as Upton is set to sign a big multi-year deal in free agency. The Rays will receive a draft pick as compensation. The Phillies and Rangers have been mentioned as possible landing spots for Upton.

The Rays made a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to B.J. Upton.

Upton, like the other players who were given a qualifying offer, has one week to accept or decline. The Rays will receive draft pick compensation if he declines and signs with another team, which appears to be the most likely scenario. The Rangers and Phillies have been mentioned as two early possibilities.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers are interested in impending free agent B.J. Upton.

They also reportedly have interest in David Ortiz. While they might not get either, it's pretty clear that the Rangers will get an impact bat to replace Josh Hamilton, who is fully expected to exit via free agency. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com lists the Phillies as the early favorites to land Upton.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Phillies are viewed as the early favorites to sign impending free agent B.J. Upton.

Upton was linked heavily to the Phils at the 2011 trade deadline, and it appears that they're still keen on the 28-year-old. Heyman says the soon-to-be former Ray will be looking for about $60 million, or perhaps more, on a five-year deal, a figure he shouldn't have a problem reaching despite a deep free agent class of center fielders.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News was told by two high-ranking Mets insiders that the club will not pursue outfielders B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn or Shane Victorino in free agency this offseason.

Furthermore, Martino hears that the Mets are unlikely to offer any outfielder even a two-year contract. The team's payroll is only expected to be marginally higher than this year's approximately $90 million, so GM Sandy Alderson is prepared to build his outfield via the trade market.