Dan Uggla trade is latest example of Wren’s quick moves
Brian McCann probably is thrilled by the Dan Uggla acquisition. It means he won't be bowled over by him again. (AJC photo)
A few days ago, the Braves removed Kenshin Kawakami from their 40-man roster. Short of general manager Frank Wren stepping into the way-back machine and telling John Schuerholz, “You know, I’ve got a really bad feeling about this Mark Teixeira trade,” there probably wasn’t a better way to begin the offseason.
Quantum leap No. 2 came Tuesday. Wren traded Omar Infante, a valuable utility player – emphasis on utility – for a starting second baseman, Dan Uggla, who has averaged 31 homers and 93 RBIs in the last five seasons.
The lineup just got better. That didn’t take long.
Say this for Wren. He doesn’t sit idle very long. We can debate whether all of his moves have worked or backfired – the Kawakami signing: boom! – but nobody can accuse of him not trying.
When various issues came up this past season, Wren demoted Kawakami, demoted Nate McLouth (after demoting Jordan Schafer twice), swapped Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez, and acquired Derrek Lee, Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth.
Did each move grade out as A-plus? No. But the Braves held together despite significant injuries and lineup changes. Every acquired player contributed something during the team’s unlikely playoff run – right down to Ankiel’s 11th inning home run against San Francisco in the National League Division Series.
That’s a testament to Wren’s efforts.
Kawakami was given a three-year, $23 million contract. The results so far: 8-22 record with a 4.32 ERA.
“We try to be proactive,” he said. “You’re always looking to improve your ballclub. That’s what a general manager’s role is. You see what your opportunities are. Over the course of last year, we tracked and watched our team and made changes. We’ve done that a lot over the last three years.”
That said, this could be the Braves’ only major move this offseason. A few thoughts about that:
♦ Uggla brings power. But the Braves had significant defensive problems last season and his acquisition doesn’t help. His 18 errors ranked second among major league second basemen last season. Wren, however, said that he isn’t concerned and that manager Fredi Gonzalez (who worked with Uggla in Florida) told him Uggla “has worked hard and gotten better.”
♦ Center field remains an issue. But Wren’s plan is to stick with Nate McLouth. He said he’s basing that on McLouth bouncing back after being called up in September (he hit .273). I believe he’s actually basing that on something else — money. The Braves likely will have to eat some of Kawakami’s $6.667 million (whether he ends up with another team or back in Japan). It’s not like there are a lot of takers for McLouth (who is due $6.5 million plus a $1.25 million buyout of his 2012 option). Liberty Media is being tight. Again. There’s a good chance this position will be a problem again.
♦ Martin Prado likely will play third base if Chipper Jones can’t return from a knee injury and left field if he can. That uncertainty isn’t comforting. The Braves just had a season of rotating bodies. But they’re at the mercy of Jones’ rehab right now, and he’s carrying a $13 million price tag of all. Once again, it’s a money decision. The worst-case scenario is the Braves get to spring training and discover Jones’ knee isn’t responding as hoped.
Then what? Wren probably makes another trade.
♦
Earlier posts
♦ Bill Curry goes back to Tuscaloosa as a changed man
♦ So I can get Georgia State and 42½ vs. Alabama? Hmmm…
♦ Heyward, Posey both deserving of top rookie honors
♦ Liberty CEO ($87.1 million) made more than Braves’ roster
♦
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215 comments Add your comment
Brian
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Braves Win Big in Uggla Deal
Why It Makes Sense For Atlanta: Dan Uggla isn’t a great defender by any means, but while he is primarily a second baseman, he can handle 3B, 1B and LF as well. Considering the Braves have a rookie slated to start at 1B, an unknown at 3B with Chipper’s injury and about zero production from LF, Atlanta fans should sleep better tonight knowing Uggla is in the fold. In all honesty though it doesn’t matter where he starts, just that he hits.
Uggla has been one of the most consistent power hitters since his debut in 2006, never hitting less than 27 HR’s (2006) or posting a slugging percentage lower than .459. His batting average isn’t always the greatest and fluctuates from year-to-year, but he still has a career OBP of .349. The Braves get a great compliment and 5 hole hitter in Uggla that can play multiple positions, meaning they could find an upgrade in LF and keep Uggla in the infield or sign a 3B and move him out to LF.
Now Uggla is an impending free agent, and apparently wants to be paid $14-16 million a year over 5 years, so negotiating an extension is risky. Uggla is already a defensive liability and should be poised to move to the American League where he can split time between DH and 1B. But for one season Uggla is a huge upgrade for the Braves, and if he does leave, they will net two draft picks for his Type-A status. The Braves didn’t have to give up any of their top prospects or starting pitching depth to acquire him, so this was a no-brainer for them.
To read what this trade does to the Marlins and the rest of Steve’s blog visit: http://fanspeak.com/steveospeak/2010/11/17/braves-win-big-in-uggla-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-7692 (and join Fanspeak.com!)
RYLESTYLE
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Prado isn’t a “proven leadoff hitter” he did pretty well last year no doubt, but wat you need out of a leadoff hitter is speed which prado doesn’t have, and a high OBP – and seeing as prado hit .307 and his obp was only .350, he rarely takes walks. A number two hitter needs to be a doubles machine (marcus giles), maybe you guys haven’t noticed that prado hits 40+ doubles a year.
Heyward needs to bat 3rd. He will have a GREAT OBP (400+) and his power will only get better. Chipper or Uggla need to bat cleanup, it doesn’t really matter though because either of them will assure that heyward gets something to hit.then McCann is perfect batting 6th. 7th and 8th are set with freeman and gonzalez. The only question is a leadoff hitter (avrage, obp, and speed) I WANT ELLSBURY PIERRE OR GARNER!!! PLEASE!!!!
RYLESTYLE
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
DOB – How much do you think the braves would have to give up to get BJ Upton? Do you think it’d be worth the risk? He’s coming off a down 2 years so maybe the asking price won’t be so igh, but his potential is through the roof, he could easily hit .300 with 20+hr and 80+rbi and he gets a lot of walks as well which means a high obp, not to mention his 40+ stolen bases
Stizz
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
It’s gonna be an exciting year folks. I think Frank will be looking for another outfielder as well as keeping Hinske, a great clubhouse guy. Add another righty arm in the bullpen and we should be set. And grief, some of you wouldn’t be satisfied if we traded for Pujols.
Just a little something for us to look forward to.Still gives me the chills.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12802555&topic_id=15419494&c_id=atl
Heisenberg
November 17th, 2010
12:49 pm
BoF,
Not drunk but maybe a bit hungover. But once we sober up, the reality is JHey is the core being built around. He is needed to be a top to middle of the order (2-5) guy. If he is anything less than that it skews the whole lineup. His overall numbers were outstanding enough to earn ROY runner-up in a deeply talented pool. It is reasonable to expect more consistency and be less streaky as he develops.
Matt
November 17th, 2010
12:51 pm
Triple-A stand out Freddie Freeman will be at First.
Sign Bill Hall
November 17th, 2010
12:57 pm
sick of chipper @ 12:14…………….You sick alright, go take a laxative because you full of it. Chipper has been the ” Braves” for like 18 yrs…get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tbhawksfan
November 17th, 2010
1:06 pm
Uggla is a great move. I’d keep him or be very ha^^y with the two firtsts we’ll get for him.
Add an OFer to keep McLouth on the bench, a good, steady reliever and a utiliy guy and we’re in business.
I also think a lead off CFer with speed and D could help the team a lot.
CF
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Freeman
Gonzo
Mark (another one)
November 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
I understand the reality of Chipper’s injury, but I also see a potential silver lining if he delays his return and plays a short season. At 38, the wear a tear of a full season may be too hard on him, but an extended spring season with an early June return is no unrealistic. He was producing both offensively and defensively when he went down, and there is no reason to believe a healthy Chipper can’t play.
That said, we still need to trust that Wren is balancing all the variables and looking for the positional upgrades. I like his first move.
Boys of Fall
November 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
@ Heisenberg Given on the (3-5) when David justice debuted in 92′ he never hit that low in the order. I have no clue why Bobby did it this year, but oh well he is a 3 now & a definite 4 later, much like a Ryan Howard type. I really think that J-Hey would have had better pitches to see if our top 2 hitters would have been more stable, meaning locked into the lineup instead of all the switching around. Just gotta have a little faith, just ask Bochy.
Milos
November 17th, 2010
1:14 pm
Get a motherf#%kin outfielder!
JSS
November 17th, 2010
1:17 pm
“Conway — Stop with the Chipper bashing. He wasn’t hurting the team before he got hurt last year.”
But that’s just it, he’s hurt! Again, he’s hurt!!! By the way, the Braves had to wait till mid June until he started hitting beyond his weight…
I would be more impressed if Chipper were to call Chris Chambliss and say: “hey can you meet me in Orlando in early January. I really need a first base mentor. Care to help me?” That frees up Prado to keep third from becoming a mine field again, and gives Freddie Freeman and Conrad a chance to work into stronger bodies and minds…
Bobby
November 17th, 2010
1:18 pm
Apparently Frank Wren did not watch the playoffs. Last time I checked the SF Giants won the World Series. A team that did not have a single player hit 30 homeruns or drive in over 90 rbi. Pitching and defense win championships! The reason the Braves did not beat the Giants, and would not have won the series if they had advanced past the Giants is because we could not play defense. We were one of the worst fielding teams in baseball, and by far the worst fielding team to make the playoffs. This is not an opinion, this is a FACT! Now we go out and get one of the worst defensive second baseman in baseball? Brilliant Wren! I guess with this move we have now admitted that we are going to build our team around the three run homer. Our pitchers will go out an pitch their butts off night in and night out, but we are not going to put guys behind them that can make plays. Makes sense to me! The Giants fans did not have to endure torture, this is torture! Until Fran Wren is fired I will not spend another dime of my money to support this organization!
ET
November 17th, 2010
1:28 pm
I’ve got to go with the crowd that says this will only be a good deal if Uggla is resigned & not allowed to leave after next year. Look at the Terexia trade. If he were here still then I would feel good about trading an all-star shortstop & a rookie of the year closer with a 100mph fastball plus 3 other good prospects for him…BUT we only had Terexia’s services for 1 year. We got hosed. We will be saying the same thing about “Dan the Man Uggla” if we don’t resign him either.
Boys of Fall
November 17th, 2010
1:36 pm
You guys kill me, on the ESPN nationwide blog about Uggla nobody is bashing the Braves, except Braves fans. Why is it whenever a move is made to try to better this team, the glass is always half empty ?????? No one cries more than Braves Bloggers !
The Owl of Prophecy
November 17th, 2010
1:37 pm
Whether Uggla hits 30 home runs or three, I like this trade. With the Marlins, Uggla owned the Braves; now we should be able to win most of our games with the Fish.
Heisenberg
November 17th, 2010
1:43 pm
Speaking of free agents, Eva Longoria is now available on the open market. No not the Rays 3B, the hot actress. I wonder if she is still a Spurs fan?
Low and outside
November 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
Olney on ESPN said Bill Hall was best utility FA available. Wren get on it.
Chipper's ACL
November 17th, 2010
2:10 pm
It’s true Uggla is a little stiff in the field. He’s going to strike out 150+ times. But what he brings is value beyond the stats. Great move regardless if he signs on for 4 more years or walks after ‘11.
Let’s think outside the box for a minute. Would it be possible that Prado plays third and Chipper is moved to left? He’s played there before, though not very well, and Martin would improve the D at third. Just a thought.
Everyone would agree that an upgrade in center is needed. Maybe we have a CF on the current roster. Shift Heyward. He’s athletic enough to play the position and it would be easier to aquire someone to man a corner spot.
come on
November 17th, 2010
2:12 pm
chipper needs to hang it up we r going to be stuck with an old beat up $13mil dl player. we could sure use that money to bring in a good player. face it chipper u weren”t that good before u got hurt this past year.
gabuldawg
November 17th, 2010
2:13 pm
I am surprised people are bashing this move. We went out and got a real hitter for the middle of our lineup and all Braves fans do is complain about it. Sell the team to another city who actually supports their sports teams. Atlanta doesn’t deserve it.
come on
November 17th, 2010
2:19 pm
i think its a good trade, but chipper is going to kill us this year. he will be 39 and coming off a major knee repair. he is always missing time for the smallest things and now we think he can play after the knee. he had his time and it passed. the braves need to tell him to hang it up. they don’t owe him anything. he has made his money and now he is just hanging around to get two more big pay days. he will be the highest paid back up this year at best
Kris
November 17th, 2010
2:25 pm
This is a decent trade. All the comments about defense, if Fredi Gonzalez believes that Uggla will work out, then he gets paid to make those decisions. Also, Chipper is NOT hurting the club, his veteran presence allows for confidence within the team. He has declined and yes, the Braves are waiting for his knee, but he is still feared by name. He can still be productive, have faith Braves fans…he is still under contract through 2012 with a club option for 2013. So he is still due money after next year. That is unless he retires. With the pitching and stronger lineup, the Braves will compete.
Jesse Stone
November 17th, 2010
2:33 pm
Some folks just can’t be satisfied. Do people not understand that Prado and Uggla are equals defensively at 2B? We just acquired an upgrade in power. People b!tching about us sitting back and waiting for the 3-run HR. I would’ve killed for a few more of those in 2010.
Infante is also a FA after 2011. He could walk, just the same as Uggla can. The difference is that Uggla would be a Type A free agent and Omar would not. There in NO downside to this move, even if it’s just a one-year rental.
Scott from Fairburn
November 17th, 2010
2:36 pm
Agree with Jesse Stone – even a one-year rental of Uggla is a win … we didn’t exactly send them Adam Wainwright (see J.D. Drew one-year rental)
scottbravesfan
November 17th, 2010
2:50 pm
Conway,
You’re an idiot. Chipper gets on base over 40% of the time. Those guys just don’t grow on trees. Francoeuer? Guy couldn’t take a walk to save his life.
John Q
November 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
getoff bmac and chipper. chipper took a lot less money to stay a brave’ after the break with bmac trying to carry the team alone he wore down.TRUE BRAVES FANS REMBER THIS.
Lowcountry Bulldawgs
November 17th, 2010
2:55 pm
Scott,
His 40% ratio is inflated due to the amounts of walks he takes. In the 3 hole he is not a table setter he is a run producer.
Odds say: Falcons over Vick and Patriots to win Super Bowl | Jeff Schultz
November 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
[...] ♦ Dan Uggla trade is latest example of Wren’s quick moves [...]
This is a masterful trade...
November 17th, 2010
3:35 pm
Seriously, it is. Uggla’s bat is 3 more wins at second over Prado. His glove is .5 wins less so we get 2.5 wins. Now, think about Prado’s bat in left and how many wins we get over Melky/Diaz/Hinske. In essence we traded Uggla and Infante straight up (taking on about $7m) and traded Dunn for 2 draft picks once Uggla walks as a Type A.
Seriously.
sfbllump
November 17th, 2010
3:47 pm
Thanks FW. This is the trade I asked for, last month. Now trade one of our young pitchers to St. Louis for Rasmus. Good job
Nick N Nash
November 17th, 2010
4:00 pm
Great pickup by Frankie! They definitely need four more things this offseason, re-sign Hinske, sign a reliable utility guy like Bill Hall, get a proven reliever, and a good defensive outfielder (pref CF since hinske and the other guy can’t play there)..
My views of Frankie are changing this season. Good job for keeping the farm in tact.
NorthGaJim
November 17th, 2010
5:01 pm
To Bobby post @ 1:18pm.
See ya, don’t let the door hit you in the a$$ on your way out. You won’t be missed.
I agree with the poster that said no one gripes about the Braves more than Braves fans. Actually, most of you are wannabe Braves fans. Last year, all you geniuses wanted a power bat, a power bat, a power, bat. Now we have one and you gripe about it. Geez.
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
November 17th, 2010
5:28 pm
Wren isn’t concerned that the worst defensive unit in the National league just got worse?
Freaking hilarious! Give the man a clown suit because the circus just came to town :!
Derrick
November 17th, 2010
5:44 pm
Jeff – Do you think there’s any chance that Chipper will restructure his contract to take less money so that the Braves can have more money to go out and try to improve the club with? He’s made tons of money during his career so it’s not like he really needs the 13 mil that he’s scheduled to make this year. If he’d be willing to play for half that amount then FW would have an extra 6.5 mil to use to go out and try to improve the club even more than he did with the Uggla deal.
Bobby
November 17th, 2010
5:56 pm
To NorthGaJim, I am not looking to be missed by someone like you. I am looking to make a point. Trust me when the Braves don’t put a championship team on the field, and they won’t with moves like this, ticket sales will drop along with revenue. After that happens for a couple of years Liberty will get the point, and Frank will get the door. Speaking of a genius, who would you expect to make comments about moves the Braves make, non Braves fans? With your brilliance you should apply for a job with the Braves front office. The facts are STILL the facts. The Braves had the third most errors in all of Major League Baseball. This move does NOTHING to improve that stat. As a matter of fact it can be argued that it could make it worse. Having the best defense in baseball does not guarantee a club a championship, but being one of the worst defensive teams in baseball is a guarantee that a club will not win a championship. Pitching AND defense win championships. Always have and always will.
KPSam
November 17th, 2010
6:33 pm
you all realize we sold high on Infante and got a real power threat for him and a rookie reliever with no control? We practically stole Dan Uggla from the Marlins. Utility infielders aren’t terribly hard to find and remember, Infante got all those starts because a few of our key players went down. Baseball is a business and it sounds like too many people make it personal…thanks Infante for having a high batting average last year, but let’s see you repeat that next year while starting the whole year.
ryan
November 17th, 2010
6:45 pm
Are the Braves still searching for an OF like Pat Burrell or Werth it looks we not going after Carl Crawford and what about Matt Kemp .
Skeeterleg
November 17th, 2010
7:39 pm
I’m starting to think all these posts about how terrible this just made the Braves defense are the Marlins GM under different names trying to save some face. The Braves defense is no better, or no worse than it was yesterday. The only difference is that the team added 30 homeruns. Infante was a really good, versatile player, but I don’t remember him being a gold glover. Enough with the revisionist history.
marcus bales
November 17th, 2010
10:15 pm
The man that got rid of LaRoche so he could get Glaus, gave away Frenchy, traded for McLouth, Lee, Ankiel, Farnsworth and Caberra(sp?), gave millions for a 8-22 pitcher is now a great GM?
Ken
November 17th, 2010
10:54 pm
All I can say is Ugh—la. Not sure about this one…but I can best bet
Domino’s still makes the greeziest pizza…and take that one to the infield….until next time…..
J-Hey
November 18th, 2010
3:31 am
The KC trade wasn’t that great since players were traded and there is nothing to show for it. The AGon trade I’m guessing shows where it’s headed this year, last year he was “getting his feet wet” back in the NL/with the Braves so to speak but now that he’s got some games under his batting gloves it’s time to start producing .. consistently
“He said he’s basing that on McLouth bouncing back”
and hoping he can get his trade value back up to where he’s worth more than a bat boy. And if he can do that (and the Braves are sitting good at the time) he’ll be outta here at next years trade deadline.
Owl Hunter
November 18th, 2010
5:05 am
Wow Ken. Worked really hard on that zinger, huh? Baseball is too complicated for anyone who doesn’t see that we just completely fleeced the Marlins.
Reggie
November 18th, 2010
5:06 am
The only way this is a good trade is if the braves sign Uggla to a long term contract and not rent him like we did with JD Drew and Mark Texiera giving up talent like Wainwright cy young pitcher,Andrus rookie of the year 09 and Feliz cy young 10.Dunn has star potential and Infante won games with his bat.
Reggie
November 18th, 2010
5:12 am
As far as comments on replacing Pendleton,he was no hitting instructor but a super infielder in his day and MVP.He can help Prado become a good third baseman.He will be alot better teaching the braves how to play infield than how to hit
ashley
November 18th, 2010
7:38 am
Chipper is a great team leader and spokesman. I think he has a future with the Braves as hitting coach someday.
But he IS holding payroll hostage. It’s not as if Chipper played most of last year and THEN got injured. He was on the DL off and on long before the injury in Houston.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 18th, 2010
9:55 am
The thing I like is that Uggla can hit. The thing I don’t like is that 2nd base was not a priority. Outfield defense and speed is a priority. The dfense was awful last year and so far there has been nothing done to improve it. There was no speed on the bases for the Braves last year and nothing has been done about this. No with Infante gone the bench won’t be as good.
gossipnewssearch.com » Blog Archive » dan uggla
November 18th, 2010
11:28 am
[...] Dan Uggla trade is latest example of Wrenâs quick moves – Atlanta Journal Constitution (b… A few days ago, the Braves removed Kenshin Kawakami from their 40-man roster. Short of general manager Frank Wren stepping into the way-back machine and telling John Schuerholz , âYou know, Iâve got a really bad feeling about this Mark Teixeira trade … Nov 17, 2010 1:44am [...]
lin
November 18th, 2010
12:27 pm
i have to agree they get rid players too too often cause the ones they buy for some reason can not or refuse to adjust, then there are older guys and younger guys getting hurt. sounds me they need new help that field. that was way too many guys going down last season. needs be looked into as for chipper if he smart he walk now. even if he returns he will get hurt again. take a hint chipper your days are up stop being selfish. i do like him but be reasonable. i say 3rd next sason, and i still give freedy only one to one half yrs with them. you can not put someone in there with old schooling. need fresh new ideas if you want first.
droopydawg
November 18th, 2010
2:30 pm
Wren has done a pretty good job with the budget he has had to work with, the injuries that only seem to hit the most valuable players, and most of our budget wrapped up in players who have been busts to varying degrees (if I never hear the name McLouth again, it will be too soon).
Hopefully Uggla continues to be a decent player and we do not live to regret letting Infante go elsewhere.