Gonzalez: Braves not considering sending Uggla to minors
Dan Uggla managed to dodge this pitch in Houston but he needs several more to start hitting the bat. (AP photo)
Dan Uggla is less than three months into a five-years, $62 million contract — and he’s not going anywhere.
I normally wouldn’t be passing along something that should seem obvious. But with the backdrop of Uggla’s struggles, I’ve had so many readers ask me, “Why not just send him down to the minors?” So it seemed time to address it with someone on the Braves.
I posed this question to manager Fredi Gonzalez following Thursday’s win over the New York Mets: Is it too early to even consider something like sending him to Gwinnett?
“We haven’t reached that point,” he said. “We haven’t even had a conversation about that. This is the first time anybody’s even mentioned it.”
And then this: “We’re trying. He’s trying. He’s battling. The season’s not over with.”
For what it’s worth, even if the Braves believed that sending Uggla to Triple-A Gwinnett could help him get his confidence back, that’s a move the veteran second baseman would have to sign off on.
Here’s your ugly numbers blitz: Uggla went 0-for-5 Thursday night. He stranded five base runners. His season average is down to .174. In the last four weeks, he is hitting .139 (11-for-79). He is hitting .127 with runners in scoring position and .184 with runners on base.
Gonzalez has tried him in six different spots in the batting order (Nos. 2 through 7), as well as sat him out altogether.
Uggla’s nine homers and 19 RBIs in 70 games project to 21 homers and 44 RBIs over a full season. He averaged 31 homers, 93 RBIs and a .263 average in Florida.
But for now, he’s staying here. How long the Braves choose to stick this out depends in part on how well the team does and whether the situation ever becomes desperate (in their view). But they’re not there yet.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
184 comments Add your comment
sally
June 17th, 2011
1:48 pm
To Mr Uggla:
Make that money – don’t let the money make you. Also, don’t be afraid to forego that tempting second helping of food! Translation – you need to lose a few, buddy!
J-Man
June 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
I think Uggla needs a sports psychologist. And maybe pull up with a “strained oblique” and take a couple of weeks off maybe go to the beach and unwind and get his head straight and not put too pressure on himself
sally
June 17th, 2011
1:58 pm
The one good thing is – thank god Uggla isn’t a brotha’ – he’d be run out of dodge by now like G. Sheffield, Andruw Jones, etc. got sent packin’!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:00 pm
But Chipper stays – no matter what.
Buck Nasty
June 17th, 2011
2:02 pm
Yo Braves fans, don’t worry about Uggla…it doesn’t matter if he hits .100 or .400, you’re still in the same division as the Phillies…so just turn out the lights…the party’s over…What the Phillies will do to the Braves will make General Sherman’s march look like a tea party…oh and Sonny Clusters, it’s a hamate bone…not a hammock bone…unless you’re insinuating that your boy Chipper got injured while pleasuring himself in a hammock…GO PHILLIES!!!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:04 pm
Or maybe it was a good decision to dump G. Sheffield, Andruw Jones – they both suck now.
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
2:04 pm
First of all, Hankie Aaron on your Bobby Cox comment…I do not believe BC would’ve called him that, but I can tell you it did make me laugh because that ‘add a Y’ to everyone’s last name is a BC pattern. Funny stuff. And I do miss hearing the chirping from the dugout. Now I have to replace it with my own chirping, but I can’t do it like Bobby.
Bob Rathbun: It would be hilarious to hear the real Bob Rathbun say that about Dirk Diggler.
Bias: are you serious about removing Gonzo and replacing him with Diory just because Diory can get a bunt down? unbelievable. Umm Gonzo does a lot of things well, maybe bunting isn’t his strong point. His glove is pretty golden though.
Now to the Uggla batting fourth argument. If the numbers are true, then maybe we should place him in the 4 hole a few more times. Don’t put him in the four hole for an entire series. Instead sprinkle it in once or twice a series until the AS break. Cannot afford to get swept in a 3 game series bc we decided to bat Uggla fouth, but I’ll admit we should try almost anything at this point. Every time I think Uggla is going to break out of it…nope it was a fluke.
So if Uggla bats fourth, he will have some pretty good protection in the lineup.
Schafer
Heyward (Prado when he is healthy)
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Hinske
Gonzo
Pitcher
Or since FG has been toying with Chipper and McCann’s spots here lately.
Schafer
Heyward
McCann
Uggla
Chipper
Freeman
Hinske
Gonzo
Pitcher
Sandwiching Uggla between two perennial All Stars is not a bad idea, in theory.
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
It shouldn’t matter what position in the lineup the “62 million dollar flop” Uggla bats. See the ball – hit the dang ball – hello?
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
2:10 pm
Buck Nasty. check the Braves record vs. your Phillies before you come down south and open your filthy philly mouth. 5-4 Braves lead season series. So if a losing record is what you call mowing down the Braves, it will be a close race.
If Sherman went 4-5 against the south, he probably would have tucked tail and ran back north. So your Sherman argument is completely unfounded.
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
He would stand a much better chance to be successful if he were between a couple of guys that were hitting well enough to make pitchers worry a little. Hitting in front of Gonzo and the pitcher certainly isn’t going to get him more fastballs!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
2:14 pm
uggla should volunteer to do some rehab in gwinnett. i know sports is different, but if i was hired by a company and didn’t perform to the expectations…my butt would be fired and would be standing in line at the dept of labor!!!
sally
June 17th, 2011
2:15 pm
How many fastballs does one need? I’ve seen Uggla miss a bunch of fastballs during his wonderful slump.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
2:16 pm
bat him 4th or 8th if Freddi is adamant about keeping uggla in the majors
Brave Fan
June 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
Enough to warrant 60 plus million. He isn’t going anywhere so he needs to put in the best possible position to have success for the team.
jmor
June 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Mikey
June 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
Sorry to say, but after watching Andruw Jones K 3 times yesterday for the Yanks with his pathetic “stepping in the bucket swing” and clueless approach to every at bat, Dan Uggla is Andruw and is the sole reason we are not in first place!
MARK
June 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
UGGLA IS HUSTLING BUT YOU GOTTA SIT HIM, PUT CONRAD IN AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES,I’S SEND UGGLA TO GWINNET AND WHEN HE STARTS HITTING BRING HIM BACK.WE CAN’T LOOSE ANT MORE GROUND IN THE STANDINGS
jmor
June 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
Uggla is hitting around .170 after 70 games…he is nearing the half way point in the season. For him to get to .235 for the year he will have to hit .300 the second half, which is doubtful. If he improves to .230 which is more likely, he will finish the year at around .200.
DBALL
June 17th, 2011
2:48 pm
Send Ugla to way down to the Rome Braves or somewhere. The Braves got ripped off again with this deal.
bravesfan54
June 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
Don’t mean to sound arrogant, but how could any baseball fan in their right mind think a trip to the minor leagues is “an opportunity for them to get their confidence back.”
Mikey
June 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
How about a trip to the bench so just maybe we don’t have the WORST hitter in baseball killing every rally he see’s. I noticed Conrad stayed in the game last night after his clutch HR to play D at second…hope to see him there if we want the 8 best players in the lineup.
Bernard
June 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
???
Sonny Clusters
June 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
Buck nasty, was you insinuating that a Clusters called it a hammock bone? It was uh, Chipper himself that called it a hammock bone and it was the AJC beat writer that reported it that way. Clusters are knowledgeable about bones and ligaments and things that need to be healthy to play ball. We was not, however, familiar with adductors until last night. Chipper has had some injuries that defy description but we will always try to describe it for you.
Dennis Reynolds
June 17th, 2011
3:28 pm
The Braves are currently “aggressively shopping the outfield market” right now for a bat. Interesting because thats what we should have done in the offseason rather than moving an all-star 2nd baseman to LF. Now were stuck with an underperforming Dan Uggla at 2nd and nowhere to really upgrade.
Where are Wren and Fredi planning on putting this new bat?
I think Wren made a mistake by signing Uggla (underperforming or not) and now were paying the price. Unless they really want to unload Schafer for a Span or someone like him, I don’t see what their plans are. That said, I would love this lineup come October:
1.Span
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Heyward
5.Mac
6.Uggla
7.Freeman
8.Gonzo
If Chipper gets injured and the opportunity is still there, this would be a fun lineup to watch:
1.Schafer
2.Prado
3.Pence
4.Heyward
5.Mac
6.Uggla
7.Freeman
8.Gonzo
Dennis Reynolds
June 17th, 2011
3:31 pm
Or if Schafer does what I expect him to do and remain a .250 hitter, this wouldn’t be terrible either:
1.Prado
2.Pence
3.Heyward
4.Mac
5.Uggla
6.Freeman
7.Gonzo
8.Schafer
Legend of Len Barker
June 17th, 2011
3:33 pm
Uggla’s so bad, no one notices how bad Alex Gonzalez is offensively.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 17th, 2011
3:50 pm
Yea why screw up the Gwinet Braves with Ugglys pour hitting.
Joe Tess Fish House
June 17th, 2011
3:53 pm
Ugglys so bad he cant hit the brod side of a barn LOLOLOLOL
Buck Nasty
June 17th, 2011
4:30 pm
hey tomahawkchoppin’…first of all dear boy, so your Braves beat the Phillies a couple of times this year when they weren’t at full strength…big deal…it reminds me of last year when the Braves had a 7 game lead in mid August only because the Phils had a ton of injuries…but as soon as they got healthy…the Braves collapsed like a house of cards…the Braves should just avoid the rush and fold the tents now…oh by the way, that tomahawk chop is most certainly offensive to Indians…and it is SOOOOO freakin’ lame (just like the Braves attendance)…and General Sherman would have never tucked and run from that raggedy ass army…as a matter of fact, Georgia should erect a statue to him…he took it it easy on you jokers…
jmor
June 17th, 2011
4:41 pm
Buck Nasty–Enjoy your ageing Phillies team…They are getting old and broken down and are overpaid to a man. If you don’t win this year, that may be your last chance with that mid-30 year old group of overpaid, injury prone former stars.Also, you have to live in that dreary, cold climate…I can see why you have such a bad attitude and foul disposition.
Buddy Whitley
June 17th, 2011
4:46 pm
It is pretty obvious the Braves hitting instructor is not having any affects on D Uggla or D.Uggla is not listening.
It is obvious to anyone that has been a part of baseball and working with hitters what his problems are and why changes are not been implemented are unreal.
His problems are not in any order. Off balance, swinging with one hand which will result in him opening his front shoulder and taking his head off the ball.Trying to pull every pitch with his outside to inside swing.
Why not change to an inside /outside swing which will make him hit every pitch to right field.
TomahawkChoppin'
June 17th, 2011
5:17 pm
The tomahawk chop has been deemed not offensive by the Seminole tribe. Look it up. They said it was fine for FSU to use it, and a former Seminole brought it to ATL.
Sherman did not march through the southern army. He marched through towns and people burning everything in his path. The southern army under General Lee was preoccupied in Virginia by Grant. Not to go all history on you, but felt it was necessary to disprove your outlandish comments.
That being said, DR good to see ya again. Still not sold on your trade rumors but hey that’s why they call them rumors. I agree a trade will be made, but I don’t know which just yet.
Richard Borth
June 17th, 2011
5:35 pm
Dan Uggla should suggest temporary reassignment to Gwinett, which has helped other players. To refuse would be false pride when he isn’t earning his 12 million a year salary. Another way to salvage his pride: For him to suggest a reduction in compensation that reflects his underperformance.
FACTS
June 17th, 2011
5:36 pm
The hitting coaches for the Braves should be sent to Gwinnett,when TP was the HC he could not help guys out of their slumps, now Larry Parrish is in the same boat. How can guys like McClouth, Gonzalez, & Uggla be very stable & productive with former teams, yet can’t get into any rhythm with the Braves whatsoever. Not to mention a nice raw talent in Heyward ( when healthy ) not showing any improvement in plate awareness, which in turn would increase his power numbers. Troy Glaus looked terrible last year after posting decent productive numbers in previous years. Is there something in our water???
Too tough
June 17th, 2011
5:51 pm
Face the Facts….he has had ample opportunity to “get his swing straightened out” He Aint!
Its sad when Bobby Valentine noticed his problem on National tv..and I suppose our hitting coach has not or has choosen not to mention it to Uggla. Thus, send him down to the minors to get his swing back or trade him now to the American league for bright prospects and an avg. hitting outfielder, Conrad can play second for now…at least he can get a hit with runners in scoring position.
moorman
June 17th, 2011
5:54 pm
why would wren send uggla to the minors, that would make wren look bad for signing him. end of thread…………………..
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
5:58 pm
Didn’t Deion bring the “chop” to ATL back in the day??
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 17th, 2011
5:59 pm
Didn’t you guys know that this is LP’s first stint as a hitting coach? One can only imagine.
Buzz ME
June 17th, 2011
6:26 pm
Uggla is UGA-Ly. Funny how things get messed up when you put uga in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hit A Single
June 17th, 2011
8:24 pm
With his present swing, it is not going to get any better.
Jay Puskenalis
June 17th, 2011
8:52 pm
He’s moving too much in his stance, i.e. timing toe taps, wiggling bat etc. Needs to be quieter in stance, just pick front foot up and down once; hands a bit higher with a steadier bat. Also, don’t be afraid to choke up a bit on the bat. Before you can swing for the fences, you must be able to contact the ball. Think line drives to all fields Once the contact improves, things will get better. Good luck.
FSUFalcon
June 17th, 2011
9:05 pm
10 million well spent huh? Wren is a bust..this isn’t the first joke contract he has given someone…kk, and mccout come to mind….we may have to find a way to unload uggla and send him somewhere else, but who would want him? This is unreal..we’ll be eating contracts of non performers for the next few years..put this on Wren…
Marvin Mangrum
June 17th, 2011
9:29 pm
Things that need to be said! Look at your hits, look at your runs, look at your wins. Look at the stress its putting on pitching. Hell, look at the crowds. Oh!!!! Never mind!
Ted Sheckler
June 17th, 2011
9:49 pm
Uggla is a complete embarrassment. I would love to see the other Braves players go Full Metal Jacket on him and beat him with soap in socks. He should be forced to give back the rest of his salary this year. Go to hell, Uggla.
Dawgs Man
June 17th, 2011
10:16 pm
I think that Mr. No Clutch Alex Gonzalez hurts this team than Uggla. He kills more rallies than anyone with his stupid strikeouts and double plays. Great defensive player but he SUX offensively.
Dawgs Man
June 17th, 2011
10:21 pm
I thought we sent that worthless Ascensio to the minors.
Danny
June 17th, 2011
10:29 pm
I work in construction. I think I will ask my boss for a huge contract and then just work 25% of the time like Dan. And I think I will just drop what I am doing like Heyward.
Seth
June 17th, 2011
10:31 pm
If Uggla had any class, he would say if he doesn’t turn things around, and turn around means bat at least 250 the rest of the way, he will decline 50% of this years salary.
God
June 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
You can’t spell UGGLA with out a UGA,
gcs
June 17th, 2011
10:35 pm
Hate to say it but the Braves are gonna get swept by Texas.
.