If Uggla doesn’t turn things around, Braves are sunk
It seems like Dan Uggla has been swinging half of a bat all season. (AP photo)
When the Braves signed Dan Uggla to a five-year, $62 million extension in January, I didn’t have a big problem with it. True, it was a significant commitment from a team that has been struggling to create some payroll flexibility in recent years. But if Uggla’s next five seasons were similar to his previous five, the investment was worthy.
The problem: Uggla has face-planted. If he doesn’t turn it around, this contract will turn into one of the worst albatrosses in pro sports.
He is hitting .172 through 60 games. Perspective: He would have to add 66 points to his average just to be as good as Nate McLouth (.238). It’s even worse over the last 16 games: Uggla is 5-for-60 (.083) with an on-base percentage of .152.
But the Braves have no options here. The contract extension means Uggla can’t really be benched for an extended period, and he certainly can’t be traded. Sending him to Triple-A Gwinnett, which he likely would have to sign off on, also seems implausible, although the Braves have done it with other high-priced fizzles.
In short, they have no choice but to wait and hope that Uggla turns it around.
This is a bad position for a general manager to be in, because no matter what Frank Wren eventually decides to do with the roster, he’s going to have to work around the annual salaries that the team has committed to Uggla though 2015: $10 million (including a $1 million signing bonus) this season, $13 million in each of the four that follow.
Of all that has gone wrong so far this season, the lack of production from Uggla and Jason Heyward stands out. The Braves are sunk unless that changes. Manager Fredi Gonzalez continues to hope that the numbers eventually reflect the back of the players’ bubble gum cards.
So, how confident are you? Is this an aberration for Uggla or do you expect him to struggle all season? Also, what were your thoughts on the $62 million contract back in January (be honest)?
By Jeff Schultz
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320 comments Add your comment
Countdown: Tressel’s fans, Tebow’s cuteness, Frenchy’s shorts | Jeff Schultz
June 7th, 2011
9:50 am
[...] Earlier: If Uggla doesn’t turn things around, Braves are sunk [...]
Doug
June 7th, 2011
10:51 am
Liveing in Arizona I ragged my Pal about Mark Reynolds, now he rags me about Uggla. We actually are keeping track of who does the “BEST” or a least better than “HORRIBLE” this season. Good thing there are two halfs too the season, we at least have some hope.
chris
June 7th, 2011
11:18 am
uggla is one of 8 batters in that lineup – even thoough one of the highest paid..got to be patient with himas well as the other team. the season may not fully rest on his shoulders but Jeff I agree if he dont’ get it going- we’re sunk….i think the big contract has gotten in his head and he’s just pressing..he needs to realize we didnt sign him to be a one season wonder- hes signed for 6 years i think so take it easy…maybe it is a mechanical issue- ive not been that impressed with Parrish anyway…people scramed about T.P. being a bad hitting coach but neither men can put a bat in their own hands and hit themselves. May be on an island but the entire league is pitching better this year so its not just the Braves struggling to score runs..The Philies are pitching their way to victories not hitting either. We just need a few breaks to fall our way get on a roll and in the end we will be ok- JUST GET UGGLA hitting! LOL
Kendell Jones
June 7th, 2011
2:17 pm
I think beginning with this series at Florida that Uggla will start hitting. He will be in a surrounding familiar place, and I predict that the bat will come alive tonight.
archie
June 7th, 2011
4:14 pm
1. Uggla: oh well, at least we’re not talking about his statue-like range at 2nd base.
2. Heyward: the Bob Horner of the 21st century. He will always pick up his mail at the DL.
3. Schafer: Slim Shady is not ready for the main stage.
4. Chipper: Farewell Tour 2011, enjoy him before the big breakdown. Coming soon.
5. A Gonzalez: Folds under pressure.
6. Mather, McLouth, Conrad, Diory, Mighty Mite Matt Young: Triple-A talent.
Watching Jose Reyes run circles around the Braves over the weekend is a reminder of how tired and slow the Braves really are. There’s not a player on the roster who could outrun him, even if shot out of a cannon.
Jim Pierce
June 7th, 2011
4:37 pm
i’ve always been an advocate for paying a player per his current production.
x-dollars per HR, triple, double, single etc…. xdollars for average.. xdollars per successful sac bunt… x dollars per rbi… etc etc. That way, every player can earn all he wants….. Give a base salary, and let um add all they can add. lol
Tim
June 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
As bad as Uggla has been, he has performed better than Frank Wren.
Ted
June 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
Uggla had two good years, his first and last. He is a .250 hitter. Only Wren and Gonzales thought otherwise. His HR power? That seems to come and go with certain players.
up north
June 7th, 2011
5:20 pm
Maybe Chipper can be the batting coach.
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
June 7th, 2011
5:25 pm
Chi Town, You’re a moron!!! You cannot fix stupid!
Disgusted
June 7th, 2011
5:32 pm
Just wish the Braves had spent some real money and gone after a legitimate manager and a legitimate hitting coach – someone better start motivating these players or they will go the way of the Thrashers….which we are all better off without.
Fish Bisch
June 7th, 2011
5:34 pm
Owned
JT
June 7th, 2011
5:42 pm
I have been the BIGGEST Jason Heyward defender but enough is enough, he is BY FAR the bigger issue here. Why? because Uggla has a whole lotta history backing him up saying we shouldn’t panic yet. The amount of great years he has can’t be an aberration. The only history Heyward has to this point is being unable to put together a full season and seeming terrifyingly content to sit for the smallest bit of pain. As the brought up on the radio this week you’ve got to start thinking does Heyward know the difference between pain and injury? Everybody hurts. Uggla is noticeably distraught over this and that is the best sign.
JT
June 7th, 2011
5:46 pm
Ted,
most power hitters have middle of the road averages. They got him for his seemingly automatic 30 HRs and 90-100 RBIs. He is the stereotypical right handed power bat.
JT
June 7th, 2011
5:48 pm
The real blame lies with Gonzalez. What do we have to do to NOT get Matt Young AB’s. He has no business up there in key spots. Leave it Hinske and Mather.
Falconairre
June 7th, 2011
6:22 pm
RELAX the braves are only 3.5 games out and no one has got hot yet. Uggla will get hot wen we need him to be hot the most. So will chipper j hey and mccann. Prado is a stud and will remain hot. I said this wen we was holding on to b.giles. I agree infante should have stayed and we payed a corner outfielder. Team wud have been much more productive with prado and infante up the middle and at the top of the lineup. But it is wat it is now. With the lack of hitting and speed we are still in it with solid pitching, great bullpen and defense once we start clicking we will win the division by 5 or 6 games
JPopNC
June 7th, 2011
6:28 pm
Oddly, they really ought to put him in the leadoff slot to maybe force him to focus more on just hitting, not trying to knock it out of the park everytime.
acbwcmm
June 8th, 2011
12:40 am
I was one of only a few Braves fans that was not happy with the Uggla trade and extension signing. At least with the trade we only lost a utility infielder and a relief pitcher.
The fact that they signed Uggla to an extension before he ever played a game for us concerned me. I honestly always felt like Uggla (Werth & Infante, too, for that matter) were overrated.
Some players do better in different situations. Perhaps Uggla can’t handle the pressure of his contract. Who knows. Either way, I hope he becomes at least mediocre for us.
Sonny Jackson
June 8th, 2011
7:36 am
If the Braves are so totally dependent on Uggla as the title of this article indicates, they are sunk whether he starts hitting or not. Fortunately, you are wrong about this. Their success does not totally depend on Uggla. He can hit for nothing all season and they will still win if the rest of them hit and the pitchers keep hitting.
Jonny V. for Closer!
June 9th, 2011
12:30 pm
I’m so sick of the “bubble gum card” comment, which has become a cliché. It’s also not true. Sometimes players don’t snap out of it. Having said that, I believe (and pray) that Uggla will come around. What we need to do immediately is MAKE JONNY V. THE CLOSER!