There's been a lot of Twatter (that's Twitter chatter) about a possible long-term contract between the Atlanta Braves and Dan Uggla. Mark Bowman was the fist to chime in with these two tweets:
Uggla traveled to Atlanta to hit w/ Larry Parrish today. But the extension wasn't discussed before he began traveling back to Nashville.
There's some reason to believe Uggla is now willing to accept Braves previous offer. But nothing official yet.
From Carroll Rogers of the AJC we got this nugget:
Uggla declined comment on report that he's close to 5-year, $60 million deal with Braves. Was in Atlanta today to hit with Larry Parrish.
That's in line with what he was being offered per year from the Marlins, though they were only offering four years at $12 AAV per. So it looks like the Braves have kicked in that extra year that Uggla may have been holding out for.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick said this:
The Braves have had positive dialogue with Dan Uggla and his agent & are "encouraged'' about a multiyear deal, says a BB source
It seems like all the signs are pointing towards something getting worked out between the two sides, though there's no telling how the holidays the next two weeks will make this drag out. The Braves certainly aren't in any hurry to get a deal done, which is probably a good thing. Better to be methodical and get it done right. At least Uggla and his agent seem to be okay with the pace of things. I know that those discussions got a bit "ugly" in Florida.
0 recs | 127 comments
I like it...
Even if he can’t play 2B for the last two years, having a guy in LF making $12 million to hit 30+ HR and get on base at a good clip wouldn’t be the end of the world….
Undocorkscrew - December 16, 2010
Remains to be seen whether that 30+ HR power...
Materializes at the Ted. The fact that he’s hit well there in a small sample size is no indication that he can sustain his power numbers in what is objectively a larger park. Which is all the more reason why the Braves shouldn’t be in such a damn hurry to lock him up into his mid-30s before seeing what he’s capable of offering the team in 2011.
SS451 - December 17, 2010
Is Florida's really that short?
With what seems like a very deep left center, that huge wall in left, a definitely deep CF? For a pull hitter, that seems like it’d be Uggla’s power alley isn’t an easy one at home for all those 30 HR seasons.
Mr. Sanchez - December 17, 2010
Sunlife Stadium
Left field – 330 ft
Left-center field — 361 ft
Center field – 404 ft
Right-center field – 361 ft
Right field – 345 ft
Turner
Left field – 335 ft
Left-center field — 380 ft
Center field – 401 ft
Right-center field – 390 ft
Right field – 330 ft
We have a slight increase at Left.
An increase at Right-Center and Left-Center
A slight decrease in Center
A decrease in Right
This means that it will be harder to Pull it which is how he hit 30 of his 33 hrs last season.
BravosFanatic - December 17, 2010
"Twatter"
hahahahahha
WaltDeezy - December 16, 2010
I was trying to be mature about this, but I couldn’t resist.
Scott Coleman - December 16, 2010
Kid and their terms these days.
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
*Kids
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
I'm liking it
only 12 million for arguebly the best 2b in baseball
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
You really can't make the argument as long as Chase Utley is still in the league.
He might belong in the argument with the next group of guys-Pedroia, Cano, Kinsler.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
Get Chase Utley out of that Juice box stadium and lets see the stats
Utlaey has 7 seasons while Uggla has had 4. Utley was on a allstar loaded team while Uggla was on the Marlins. These are important stats for Power hitters.
Utley Uggla
177 hr 154 hr
650 RBI 465 RBI
.863 OPS .837 OPS
221 ISO 224 ISO
They are pretty much even
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
There's no point in my continuing this.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
I have huge respect for Utley and I hate when he comes up to bat, but Utley didn’t produce like this in his first 4 seasons. We could go into a huge arguement about this but I think Utley and Uggla are equal except for playoff experience
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
and defense.
king of games - December 16, 2010
True True
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
He was 2nd on the depth chart behind polanco his first 2 seasons. He also was hurt for about 2 months last year after his hand was hit by a pitch so that hurt his stats. He is far better on defense though.
andyb - December 17, 2010
Especially when we already had this same discussion a few days ago.
justincredubil02 - December 17, 2010
I agree with you BravosFanatic
Get Utley out of that crappy tiny dump stadium in Philly and see how he does, not knocking Utley and he is the best 2B in the NL EAst but Uggla has the most power.
5th year is what it takes then give it to him this guy can carry the Braves power for the next five seasons easily.
Go to it Mr. Wren I personally luv the trade, the potiental extentsion etc….
One thing I must say about F. Wren that I luv is that when a need develops he goes out and tries his best to fill it within Liberty Media’s imposed salary cap (which is another story all together for another older post) sometimes it just takes him a little time.
Braves have as good of a shot as any next season to compete for the WS Phils fateful.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - December 16, 2010
I would argue that Cano is a little bit better than Uggla
But I do agree that Uggla and Utley are essentially even with each other
TurnerTheBurner - December 16, 2010
Utley’s career OPS is .894
Nikk.m - December 16, 2010
Sorry I grabbed the postseason OPS. I kinda rushed trying to get the stats
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
ummmm
Cano >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Uggla
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 17, 2010
agreed
JasonHeywardisGod - December 17, 2010
Second
crsosa - December 17, 2010 via mobile
He’s still way behind Chase Utley, and I’d probably put Pedroia and Cano just slightly above him, but yeah, he’s an absolute beast at the plate.
Scott Coleman - December 16, 2010
best RH 2B?
OntheGo - December 16, 2010
Pedroia is a righty…
Best right-handed 2B in the National League! Success!
Scott Coleman - December 16, 2010
You know, I was thinking the other day that Chase Utley isn’t that good. He’s definitely not in the top 5 second baseman of all time. We should have a debate about that.
10-4 - December 16, 2010
Top 5 all-time currently?
That’s a solid debate.
1) Hornsby
2) Morgan
3) Carrew
That’s what I’d put at the top. Then you’ve got a host of guys like Eddi Collins, Frankie Frisch, Biggio, Alomar…I’d agree. He’s not top 5 all time. But he’s clearly the best right now.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
I think Cano is going to pass him shortly...
Undocorkscrew - December 16, 2010
i don't understand the cano bandwagon
kbertling353 - December 16, 2010
He’s really good. That might have something to do with it.
king of games - December 16, 2010
It’s the Yankees effect. It happens to every one of them (i.e. – Jeter, Derek).
BW Smith - December 16, 2010
I was not a Cano believer when they brought him up...
But after watching him play some now, I think he’s the real deal. A true 5 tool guy. I’d go as far as saying that the Yanks should consider him untouchable.
I Saw Buzz Beaned - December 16, 2010
uh
Cano is a great hitter. I mean great hitter. Chase Utley is an extremely tough out. They are both better than Uggla. But I’m afraid of Utley getting injured and staying injured soon. I hope the Phillies offense plunges soon (cause their pitching will rock).
ronjba - December 16, 2010
Jeff Kent...
Stephen Schmidt - December 16, 2010
R.
Alomar’s glove was nasty
Kineticist - December 17, 2010 via mobile
ok, so no one gets sarcasm. Thats ok guys.
10-4 - December 17, 2010
You know
I really thought it was sarcasm at first. Then I saw so many replies (but didnt bother to notice that you werent one of them) that I thought you were serious.
Internet fail.
Doghnut - December 17, 2010
Guess I didn't pick up on it
Because in another five years, I probably WILL consider Utley one of the best five of all time. Just hasn’t quite done enough yet. I figure he’s got 6 years left, maybe another of just hanging on, unless, god forbid, he’s hit by a bus or something. He’s really good.
Bronn - December 17, 2010
I chuckled.
justincredubil02 - December 17, 2010
not everyone recognizes the user name and realizes, this guy is probably fucking with me….i saw it coming
Swo12bv - December 17, 2010
Hes never been better than 4th among 2b for his career.
He’s a beast of a hitter, but with his defense he’ll always have a ceiling of 4.5-5 WAR (and at his age that’s an optimistic ceiling). I’d certainly take Utley before him, and I’d definitely take Weeks, Cano, Kinsler, and Pedroia as well.
Stephen Schmidt - December 16, 2010
Going by WAR
Stephen Schmidt - December 16, 2010
I just hope we move him to LF like we should instead of playing him at 2B although that could create a logjam in the OF if Lipka is ready earlier than 2015.
drumzalicious - December 16, 2010
Contract is a little bigger than I would have liked, though not terrible
but when you take into account how little we had to give up in terms of talent to get him, I’m happy with the whole situation.
was385 - December 16, 2010
Anyone else nervous about this?
I kinda have the same feelings about this as Derek Lowe’s contract, tho not as extreme. I’m not sure those last 2 or 3 years are going to look too pretty.
Doghnut - December 16, 2010
same
5 years for his body type seems kind of dumb
kbertling353 - December 16, 2010
It’s not a great deal, but he’ll probably end up being worth more than $60M after the 5 years are up.
Scott Coleman - December 16, 2010
Essentially,
I like his value at 2B. If he moves to 1B/LF, he becomes a lot less valuable.
kbertling353 - December 16, 2010
If you are going by body type. I wouldn’t give CC Sabathia or Ortiz or Sandoval $1 but they are still good. A trade to the AL as a DH is also a possibility
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
That type is “awesome.”
TheLetter2 - December 16, 2010
On a tangentially related note...
who do you take out of these two pairings of players?
1) Javier Vazquez, Boone Logan, Omar Infante
2) Dan Uggla, Arodys Vizcaino
hailtogeorgia - December 16, 2010
Marlins got the better end. I really don’t know why Frank Wren still has a job……
Scott Coleman - December 16, 2010
Agreed. He is worse than Ned Yost.
Vote Gondee for GM!!!
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
depends....
on if today is opposite day or not
bravesguy311 - December 16, 2010
It's not.
…or is it? BOOM head explodes.
hailtogeorgia - December 16, 2010
considering everyone is giving out 7 and 8 year contracts......
worth more than $100 million, paying a power hitting righty 12 mil a year is not bad at all.
Shoert - December 16, 2010
ding, ding, ding
We have a winner
To wrap up a RH power bat for $12M per doesn’t bug me at all. Add to that he has leadership skills, wants to be in Atlanta and the other players are happy about having him around.
bighop - December 16, 2010
+60,000,000
Tarkus - December 16, 2010
lol
TCfromDubVee - December 16, 2010
and he’s an extremely hard worker.
king of games - December 16, 2010
Those Chilean miners were hard workers too
and we all know what happened to them.
Creek Johnson - December 16, 2010
too soon
RufRider - December 16, 2010
+1
coachrob - December 17, 2010
especially the one with two wives.
10-4 - December 17, 2010
Exactly
Very reasonable contract compared to what other guys are getting. Also gotta love Uggla for saying “Brian McCann is my favorite person in baseball”. Seems like a great guy to have around for 6 years.
MattyO - December 16, 2010
These are my sentiments.
The deal seems highly reasonable, especially when you know that Uggla is seeing guys like Werth and Crawford land HUGE contracts that are over twice this amount. He’s really excited to be here and that counts for something to me.
I know many on here love Werth, but saving that extra $60MM will help us in the long run.
Sure, his last year may not be spectacular, but I think he’s a steal for the first few seasons. It evens out.
Jman781 - December 16, 2010
Say what you want,
but we’ll regret this a whole lot less than the Phillies will the Ryan Howard deal.
king of games - December 16, 2010
And most all of their Multi Year deals
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
Maybe even the Cliff Lee deal.
Though they were fortunate to get him to sign for only five years.
Tarkus - December 16, 2010
It’s effectively 6 years unless he completely craps the bed.
king of games - December 16, 2010
Oh, I missed that part.
Still better than the 7 year deals that were being bandied about. I think the Phillies did the Rangers a favor.
Tarkus - December 16, 2010
money wise yes....
but it seems like the Rangers would be willing to pay him quite a bit for a long time, and why wouldnt they? Still 7 yeas or even 6 is a bit lengthy, a lot can happen in that time. But if you want a shot at signing a big player it seeme like you have to be willing to cough up some money and be willing to go long term.
Shoert - December 16, 2010
I still don't get why the Ranger would sign him till he's 39
We did it to Chipper and see what happened at the end
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
Huh?
Don’t get what you’re saying about Chipper Jones. You mean, the part where he’s been worth what we’ve paid him every single year (and WELL OVER worth it most years) except for last year….when he was pretty close anyway? We’ve done pretty well with Chipper, paying him way under his market value his entire career.
If he retires, it’s not like we’re on the hook for the rest of his extension-he’ll be leaving some, if not all, of that on the table. And he says he will retire if he’s not playing up to his standards. Chipper Jones has never been inked to a “bad contract” in his life.
A much better example would be to say “Look at the Yankees’ extension to A-Rod,” or something like that.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
I just meant the Last 2 Years. Chipper over produced every year except Last Year. I Love Chipper but Do you want to pay Chipper 15 mil this season
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
No, I’d rather not pay him $15 million this season. Mostly because I don’t see why we’re paying him the extra $2 million more than his contract and I don’t see the point in giving him the extra money. Unless he’s got a $2 million bonus for being the World Series MVP written in? In that case, I’d LOVE to pay him $15 million.
I’m absolutely comfortable with his making $13 million next year. If I were betting, I’d put his projected value next year for the Braves at approximately $13 million. Seems absolutely fair to me.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
If he plays a whole season
He will be worth 13 mil also because of his leadership as a factor.
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
If he plays a whole season
I’d wager he’s well over $13 million in value based just on what he does on the field. I’m estimating 120 games played and right on the cusp of 13 million, and probably over.
Bronn - December 16, 2010
He will need a good bounceback year to earn 13 mil on the field. Hopefully that will happen
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
this
Braves24 - December 16, 2010
Cannot even begin to agree with that!
“Fanatic” might not be the right way to go with your screen name. Just saying…
I Saw Buzz Beaned - December 16, 2010
Whats wrong with Fanatic?
It just means a Fan
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
Very true. Dr. Faustus felt better about his deal than the Phills will about that one.
Sam Jethroe - December 18, 2010
rec'd
For the literary reference that is FAR too sophisticated for TC.
Doghnut - December 18, 2010
2B is a rough position to play, I’d be wary about a 5 year deal for that much of the payroll.
Lennox - December 16, 2010
We can just move him I guess.
Creek Johnson - December 16, 2010
Does he not go to 3B or LF down the line?
Mr. Sanchez - December 16, 2010
Well, I’ve been reading from a few Florida fans that the Fish wanted him to move to LF and he refused; I have no idea if he has the arm for 3B or not.
Lennox - December 16, 2010
You might like this
BravosFanatic - December 16, 2010
Twatter?`
Im not digging it.
nick9314 - December 16, 2010
5yr/60m deal
Is good, but i would rather have a little more money for less years. 4yr/14m maybe?
TCfromDubVee - December 16, 2010
I like the deal but I think it is a little too long. I much rather give him three or four years and more money than five years
Braves24 - December 16, 2010
I don't know where the complaints about Dan Uggla's body type are coming from...
C.C. Sabathia, Prince Fielder, and Pablo Sandoval are fat. Uggla’s ripped.
frozendesert - December 16, 2010
Man, I hope this isn't true.
5 years, $60 million is at least one year and probably two years too many. He’s a fine player, but he isn’t young. I would have much preferred an arb season and the draft picks.
cavebird - December 16, 2010
Agreed.
I am not at all stoked about 5 years.
get swoll yunel - December 16, 2010
The dudes, 30, not 35
And after 4 straight 30 homer seasons, he deserves a 5 year contract. Why would he accept something for 3 years? Thats not how it works.
He likely won’t start noticeably declining until he age 35 year anyway, so what the worry?
ATLandUNC - December 16, 2010
Why won't he decline before 35?
Nobody else has? Nope. Just not true. Completely false.
Because a bad defensive second baseman fits out needs for five years? Nope, we have Prado.
Of course he won’t accept 3 years. That’s why we do a slightly below free market deal through arbitration for him this year and then get the draft picks and let someone else give him too many years or too much money.
cavebird - December 16, 2010
14 mil a year for one of the most productive second basemen ever...
Yeah, not seeing the complaint here.
ATLandUNC - December 16, 2010
Not everyone will like the move.
I like it. You like it. The Braves like it. Uggla likes it. Cavebird and get swoll yunel don’t.
I agree that it may be a little too long, but baseball isn’t played in a perfect, video game world. The fact is, that in order for the Braves to compete they needed a big RH bat. Defense aside, I would be curious what better option is out there than Uggla for the mere price of 12MM/year and Infante/Dunn.
There aren’t any. I keep using Werth as an example, for offensively, their stats are similar (I commented on this a while ago). Sure, Werth is better defensively, but his defense isn’t worth 2 more years and $60MM+. Not to me at least.
Cavebird wants draft picks, but I am tired of waiting around on prospects to develop. I am tired of the 2014 or bust mentality. But that’s just me.
Jman781 - December 16, 2010
One of the most productive second baseman ever
Uhhh….I’ll give you this. He’s in the top 150 of all time. I think. For second basemen.
Bronn - December 17, 2010
No infielder outside of Pujols and 1-2 other people have hit as many homeruns in their first 5 seasons.
Top 150 my ass
ATLandUNC - December 17, 2010
He's only been in the league for 5 seasons
Bit of a problem to lump him in with all-time greats.
Bronn - December 17, 2010
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-09-14/sports/fl-marlins-phillies-game-143-0914-20100913_1_dan-uggla-sun-life-stadium-marlins
“When the ball cleared the wall, Uggla became the first second baseman in major league history to hit 30 or more home runs in four seasons.”
He already has 154 home runs, and by the time his tenure with the Braves is up he will likely be in the top 2-3 for homeruns by a second baseman all time soo…
Yeah, you’re way off here. He’s establishing himself as the most consistent slugging second baseman ever.
ATLandUNC - December 17, 2010
And if we stuck him behind the plate he'd be an amazing-slugging catcher.
But he’s not really a catcher, and he’s not really a second baseman, in the sense of being a competent fielder. So all this talk of “best…slugger…EVER” needs to acknowledge the fact that his glove is best-suited for a corner OF position, where his power is quite good, but hardly historic.
SS451 - December 17, 2010
It’s amazing that the Braves finally get a RH power bat…and it seems like people on here can’t wait to get rid of him.
dunnytwogloves - December 16, 2010
I’m pretty sure they just like rosterbating about RH power bats every year, it breaks their hearts we got one.
bighop - December 16, 2010
This
coachrob - December 17, 2010
If he is a power bat throughout this contract then why would I wanna get rid of him?
The fact that he probably will not be is what’s troubling.
Creek Johnson - December 16, 2010
I am curious.
Why are some people so certain his power will decline at the ancient age of 33 or 34?
I am just curious.
Can’t you say that about anyone? Chipper’s 38 and making more than Uggla. Why was Chipper able to perform as an old man and not Uggla? Should we only play guys in their 20s? What team in baseball only has a bunch of guys in their 20s?
I am baffled by this, but not wholly shocked. I apologize if I sound derisive, but I am tired of complaining by Braves fans. No matter what we do many are unhappy.
Can’t we be excited that a guy of Uggla’s caliber wants to play here and is giving us an obvious discount?
Jman781 - December 16, 2010
Chipper is a much better player than Uggla and always has been.
And Dan Uggla’s skillset doesn’t usually age well-guys who hit for power without a high average are great in their primes. They get walked a lot because the threat of their power makes pitchers avoid them, so they post decent OBPs. When the power starts drying up, they don’t get on base very much either.
It’s not that I’ve got a problem with Dan Uggla this year, I’ve got a problem with Dan Uggla in 2015. He’s great for right now, and I’m happy to have him for the next three years. After that, notsomuch.
Bronn - December 17, 2010
Nailed it
I’m thrilled with the Uggla trade. We gave up a utility infielder for an affordable bat with elite power for his posistion. And if it were possible that he would accept a shorter extension for more per year I would be happy with exploring those options, but this seems unlikely after what happened in FL…
Also, despite his past success at the ted, hit tracker stats suggest that the ted may keep some of his would be deep flies in miami in the ball yard down on hank aaron drive…nothing in any way conclusive but worries me.
granman29 - December 17, 2010 via mobile
Nailed it
I’m thrilled with the Uggla trade. We gave up a utility infielder for an affordable bat with elite power for his posistion. And if it were possible that he would accept a shorter extension for more per year I would be happy with exploring those options, but this seems unlikely after what happened in FL…
Also, despite his past success at the ted, hit tracker stats suggest that the ted may keep some of his would be deep flies in miami in the ball yard down on hank aaron drive…nothing in any way conclusive but worries me.
granman29 - December 17, 2010 via mobile
We are LH heavy
Our core guys for the future are McCann, Heyward, and Freeman. Without a RH bat in the mix in the middle we would be facing very teams LH specialist without anyone to break it up. If our future lineup core in 2015 is Schafer, Prado, Heyward, Mac, Uggla, Freeman (holes at SS and LF) then we’ll be sitting pretty good. Also, who knows, maybe a RH bat in our system shows up big (Milligan?) and by year 4-5 we can drop Uggla to 6th or 7th in the lineup. Fact is, his latter years are too far off to worry about it. Face value, it solidifies the lineup for 3 years minimum with hopes he can maintain that power stroke for longer.
murph35 - December 17, 2010 via mobile
Milligan is LH
I think our best bet for a RH bat in the future is Salcedo.
drumzalicious - December 17, 2010
maybe in the next draft, the braves will pick up in the 1st round a LF RH with some power
joshant - December 17, 2010
Or we could just buy low on Reimold.
drumzalicious - December 17, 2010 via mobile
how much are you willing to give up?
Because Reimold is a solid starter
Braves24 - December 17, 2010
If the braves dont want him for 5 years
The Phillies will gladly take him. He would be an upgrade to polanco at 3rd.
andyb - December 17, 2010
Crasnick at ESPN says Braves will regret this deal
He says middle infielders who are built like corner infielders struggle in their mid-30’s, just ask Derek Jeter.
That would make sense, except that Jeter had one of his better years in 2009 and is built nothing like Dan Uggla.
ruxsin - December 17, 2010
I could easily see Uggla moving to 3B or LF before its all said and done. His bat will be relevant at any position.
Luckily, none of this will likely be an issue until maybe 2013.
ATLandUNC - December 17, 2010
This.
For some reason the contrarians seem to think Uggla has his foot nailed to second base for the next 5 years. I’m sure we can find something to do with him 4-5 years from now if we need to, it’s just ridiculous to worry about that right now.
king of games - December 17, 2010
As long as we're living in Looney World where contracts like Werths are driving the market
I can see no reason to dislike a 5/60 extension for His Name Is Dan Uggla. It’s a great deal for the next couple of years, and after that we’ll be getting so much value out of Heyward, Freeman, Teheran, and company at the same time that the Lowe & Chipper dollars roll off the books, we can navigate those waters easily enough.
Bubdylan - December 17, 2010
please dont do the “his name is dan uggla” thing, it acknowledges that the Marlisn announcers exist and that conflicts with my personal view of reality, which has decided for my own sanity they don’t exist.
Swo12bv - December 17, 2010
?
What does His Name is Dan Uggla mean?
Doghnut - December 18, 2010
its this stupid thing the announcers for the Marlins do, when Uggla hits a HR.
Swo12bv - December 19, 2010
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