The puns that you can do with headlines and Dan Uggla's name may never get old. ESPN points out a few awesome statistical tidbits about our new second baseman:
Uggla's 154 home runs are the most by a middle infielder in his first five seasons, in major league history (18 more than Ernie Banks). They also trail only Pujols for most home runs by an NL right-handed hitter in these last five seasons.
After watching what Uggla did to them at Turner Field, Braves fans will be quite happy to be able to root for him and not against him. Uggla is a .354 career hitter at Turner Field. His batting average is the third-best of anyone there since the ballpark opened in 1997. His .652 slugging percentage there trails only a pair of immortals -- Barry Bonds and Pujols.
And then he talks about Uggla's defense, which is less that average. Perhaps our new infield instructor, Terry Pendleton will have a few pointers for him. But if Uggla can continue most of those numbers he's put up at the Ted, then he should more than make up for his shoddy defense. Keep in mind that Uggla is in his free agent walk year, so he has some extra incentive to post gaudy numbers.
0 recs | 48 comments
The Marlins won't beat us much next year
BravePhin - November 16, 2010
Lock him up long term, Frank!
crazk829 - November 16, 2010
Agree.
I wonder if the Braves are going to try and sign him. I will be even more excited by this trade if he is more than just a one-year player.
Jman781 - November 16, 2010
Five Years $71 million is what the Marlins last offered him according to MLBTR.
Search Uggla on the site; Don’t care sign this guy long term he is worth the money, the contract and the years.
Good Move Wren. TP was an above average IF, so we can fix some of those problem. I just want Uggla wrapped up for the next five season in a Braves Uniform and I don’t want to see him go to ARB.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 16, 2010
Marlins offered 4/$48M, Uggla wanted 5/$71M
bighop - November 16, 2010
It was somewhere in between, per MLBTR
Doghnut - November 17, 2010
For a good time:
Read the comments on the Yahoo! press release. Several Braves fans are distraught! I’m not sure how to address them.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ah48IlFigKrRw.moHOz3NjY5nYcB?slug=ap-braves-marlinstrade
Chipper Pwns - November 16, 2010
And half the facebook group is distraught....
They seem to under the impression that Uggla could’ve been had for less.
lol
Tonley - November 16, 2010
I love that one guy thinks this move ruins the braves reputation of developing home-grown talent.
telemakhos - November 17, 2010
I dont mind getting Uggla, I just wish we didnt have to lose Infante to do it. A proven player, with above average defense, a good bat, and a likeable guy. Oh, forgot to mention, All-Star. If Uggla is going to be the starting 2B, where will Prado play? I am guessing 3B as soon as Chipper gets injured, and maybe LF? I also dont like the fact that we gave up Infante for what is likely going to be a one year Rent-A-Player for us. If he has the 2011 we hope he will have for us, then the Braves likely wont be able to afford to re-sign him. At least we get him for the whole season and not just the second half. The other thought was did Wren get him to use as trade bait for somebody even better? Well at least Wren has made good on his promise of getting a right handed power hitter, now go get us a CF’er!!
HeyMikey - November 17, 2010
New flash!!
Infante only had one year on his contract as well. The Marlins are renting him as much as we’re renting Uggla.
The difference is that Omar will be a Type B free agent, and Uggla will be a type A, if their values hold. This provides an unequivocal win on our part, as we will get not only the compensatory pick, but also a 1st rounder (or 2nd, if the team that signs Uggla signs multiple Type A free agents or has their first-rounder protected).
Really, the only thing we gave up is Dunn.
-C
cthabeerman - November 17, 2010
We give up a backup for a starter...
at the same position just about, for an excess relief arm that can be replaced with comp picks. On a rosterbation post, the deal would have been laughed at, but somehow it came true?!
Mr. Sanchez - November 17, 2010
The deal is remarkable
Which is why I don’t see why people are having such a hard time accepting it.
I loved Infante, too. I understand that part of the situation.
Bottom line is, no matter how great a deal the Braves make, someone will be out there second-guessing it.
-C
cthabeerman - November 17, 2010
Well, Infante was an All-star this year. Tell men, when has Uggla ever been one of those!?!?!?
justincredubil02 - November 17, 2010
2006 and 2008
Mr. Sanchez - November 17, 2010
and then proceeded to single-handedly lose the game...
Kudzu Kid - November 17, 2010
whoosh.
justincredubil02 - November 18, 2010
I wish everyone could see it this way. The way it obviously is..
bwellnjonesco - November 17, 2010
But we got Uggla – a more proven player who happens to be the 2nd/3rd best offensive 2B in baseball with below average defense, a great bat and a likeable guy. Oh, forgot to mention, multiple All-Star selections, and contrary to Infante, he actually deserved his.
Seriously, you are bemoaning the loss of a bench/role player for a proven super star???
justincredubil02 - November 17, 2010
If someone isnt willing to part with Infante, then who are they willing to part with?
Doghnut - November 17, 2010
I am not bemoaning Uggla, we needed someone like him. But we lost a guy who everyone is calling a “backup” player, sorry, I think he proved himself worthy of being a starter. As far as who should we have traded, I dont know, I guess this was the best case scenario, I just hate losing the backup depth in the infield we had with Infante, on top of a good defensive player on a team that was piss poor in defensive categories last season. Chipper has been unable to stay healthy, we dont have a viable CF/LF yet. If Prado was to make the move to LF, then if Chipper goes down, you still have Infante, who can play 3B, without having to do any other shuffling around. I guess there were no other options, Infante was the only guy available, but I still hate to see him go. I think you guys read this as I thought we shouldnt have traded for Uggla, which is not what I said at all. Yes Infante will be a free agent at the end of the year also, but our chances of keeping Uggla in my opinion are not as good, he will demand a lot of money, and a long term deal, and I have been sick of the player rental revolving door this team has been participating in. I just hope the wallet opens when its time.
HeyMikey - November 17, 2010
You should really look at Omar's stats
He is not a starter. Last season was a career year.
Doghnut - November 17, 2010
Let’s say, just for the simple fact that I am willing to give you a leg to stand on in this debate, that Omar DID prove that he is capable enough to be a starter.
Ok, so you take a guy who proved that he can hang with the league average, and I’ll take the guy who has proven that he is one of the league’s best.
justincredubil02 - November 18, 2010
I guess I need to give up on this argument. I didnt say not to get Uggla, I said I didnt want to lose Infante. Apparently from what I have read this morning, Infante and Dunn are all the Marlins wanted, so we didnt offer him up, they asked for him. In my scenario, we get Uggla and keep Infante. I have enjoyed the debate, and the deal is done, so I will move on. Can we start arguing about who we shouldn’t trade to get an OF’er now?
HeyMikey - November 18, 2010
Because Infante and Dunn came from within?
Mr. Sanchez - November 17, 2010
One comment
“If Uggla can bat third or fifth and Heyward can bat 6th we will have one smoking bottom half of the line up. Heyward is still one season away from being a consistant 3rd/4th batter.
Chipper Pwns - November 16, 2010
Why wouldn't our nest power hitter hit cleanup?
And our best hitter hit 3rd?
3. Heyward
4. Uggla
ATLandUNC - November 16, 2010
I meant to reply to my post
Yeah, there is some delusional thinking going on inside the Yahoo confines.
Chipper Pwns - November 16, 2010
Common Misconception
Leadoff, second and clean-up are the most important spots in the line-up.
Third and fifth are close behind.
Also, the worst hitter should bat seventh.
weekapaug09 - November 16, 2010
I like this deal, under the condition that the Braves are planning to sign him.....
….otherwise I feel that they are pissing in the wind. I mean, even if Chipper makes it back next year, it will be his last year, and his salary will be off the books….there’s no way they make this deal without the intention of signing Uggla right??
El Soro - November 16, 2010
There absolutely is...
Infante was only signed through next season. Dunn isn’t a wunderkind.
One year of Uggla for one year of Infante plus Dunn is still a steal, without the possibility of resigning him.
If we offer arb (we will) and he doesn’t take it (he likely won’t, unless he has a horrid season), we get a 1st rounder and a sandwich pick.
Middle relievers aren’t exactly the most valuable pieces, so the fact that Dunn is all we lose for 2012 and beyond makes those picks more than worth the trade, especially when you consider the upgrade this is for the lineup.
-C
cthabeerman - November 16, 2010
You make a good point...
But I like where El Soro’s head is at. Chipper’s salary coming off the books after the season should free up the money to extend Uggla. My fear is that if it doesn’t get done this offseason, it won’t get done at all. Just thinking about the production he can put up in a contract year is scary enough, and I’m glad he’ll be doing it FOR the Braves rather than against them, but I gotta think it’ll drive his stock too high and make him even more likely to deny arbitration. Even if the trade is a technical push, I’m tired of the rentals and the season-by-season guessing game…
Kudzu Kid - November 17, 2010
If we're going to spend that kind of cash
I would prefer it be on someone else, personally. I like Uggla but I cant imagine there wont be a better FA looking for that kind of cash that can play what will be one of our needs (3B, CF, 2B/LF).
Doghnut - November 17, 2010
We don't necessarily have to spend the money on Uggla next year...
he’s getting $10m or more. We assume Chipper retires, freeing up another $13m. McLouth comes off the books, Kawakami also considering we likely eat some of his deal this year. Lowe’s remaining $15m might be much more easily moved next winter instead of the current $30m owed. We could have anywhere from $30m-50m to spend next winter, which combined with a strong young core could lead to lots of options for Wren in 12 months.
Mr. Sanchez - November 17, 2010
I agree.
If Uggla wants too much money, which given his age and what he has rejected from the Marlins, we shouldn’t resign him. Take the walk year, take the draft picks, and find someone else. Chipper is signed through 2012, and I doubt he retires before his contract expires. Still, we’ll have plenty enough for a rental or two to replace Uggla and back-up Chipper in 2012 and then have some more money in 2013 when Chipper and Lowe are off the books—-although a lot of this will go to raises for players we already have like Hanson and Heyward.
cavebird - November 17, 2010
Easy fix for the Contract
It is an easy fix for an extension.
Offer uggla a 4/55 with an mutual option for 16million.
2011- 11 million
2012- 13 million
2013- 15 million
2014- 16 million
2015- 16 million* Mutual Option.
This way he Braves give uggla a chance at 5 years and also lock him up to a more team friendly 4 year deal. It would also Co-inside with Chipper most likely retiring after this year, and basically Take his place salary wise, then Prado goes to 3rd and you are looking at a very nice IF of Prado, Pastronicky, Uggla, Freeman.
mauck98 - November 16, 2010
haha...
coincide?
kreese555 - November 17, 2010
If TP can address some of Uggla’s horrific defense (which I doubt), I’ll feel much better about the deal.
At least we’ll add another 30 or so bombs to the order next year. I think this means we can say sayonara to Hinske and Diaz, because if Chipper does come back next year, Prado will be playing LF.
UMDBHIK - November 16, 2010
I would like to keep both hinkse and diaz on the bench.
Diaz mashes lefties, and Hinkse hits dah bombs off the bench.
TCfromDubVee - November 16, 2010
Conrad does it cheaper then Hinske.
Broccoman - November 17, 2010
Then Hinske what?
justincredubil02 - November 17, 2010
If only we had kept Hubbard.
10-4 - November 17, 2010
Love this tweet from Bowman:
10-4 - November 17, 2010
I like Fredi.
Doghnut - November 17, 2010
i concur
knarf - November 17, 2010
+1
Good stuff. #6 gets retired next summer.
UMDBHIK - November 17, 2010
Could be troubling
I absolutly love the deal. You upgrade the IF by giving it more power. And with chipper likely getting hurt at least 1 or 2 times next season, this move gives the team some flexablity with prado being able to move back to 3rd. The only problem i have with this deal is that Wren might think that he has finished the job of getting power hitters for this line-up this offseason. He might not spend the money on a power hitting out fielder because we just got that power from uggla. All i am saying is that the braves need a power out fielder to go along with this move if they want to improve from last year. They cant just move prado to LF and say that the job is done. Just dont be satisfied by this deal only. But i have to say this is a great start.
Rodgers - November 17, 2010
I think old Frank knows what he is doing. I’m not worried about his next move in the least.
justincredubil02 - November 18, 2010
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