Would you pay $60 million to keep Uggla? The Braves might
New manager Fredi Gonzalez asks Dan Uggla for a loan. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Dan Uggla brings a reliable bat to a team lacking reliable bats. But he’s a lousy fielder — the 2010 Braves weren’t very good at catching the ball, either — and he turns 31 in March. So now I ask: Is this the guy you want to re-up for $60 million over five seasons?
Nick Cafardo, the fine baseball writer for the Boston Globe, just Tweeted that “Atlanta sources tell me Dan Uggla closing in on a five-year, $60-$61 million extension.” If this is true, I say …
That’s almost Chipper Jones money. For a guy who demonstrably isn’t Chipper Jones.
You can argue that Uggla is a better hitter at 30 than Chipper is at 38 — and Uggla isn’t coming off knee surgery — but still: Twelve million a year for a guy who has driven in 100 runs once in his career and who has never hit .300 and who’s surely going to have to find a new position soon? That’s a lot of money.
If you’re a fan, you wouldn’t mind such an outlay. If you’re a fan, you’re tired of the one-and-dones — J.D. Drew, Mark Teixeira — breezing through town en route to a massive contract elsewhere. And you’d hate to have given away the All-Stat utilitarian Omar Infante and the live young arm of Mike Dunn for another rental. (And besides, it isn’t your money. It’s Liberty Media’s.)
Me, I’m not sure Uggla is a cornerstone player. I think he’s good man to have on a team, but I don’t see him as a man capable of carrying said team. On the one hand, it’d be nice to see the Braves willing to invest so much money again. On the other, I’m not certain this is the man in whom so much should be invested.
You are, as ever, free to disagree. And I know you will.
By Mark Bradley
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241 comments Add your comment
26.2
December 16th, 2010
7:00 pm
I’m not sure about the money but i would like to see Prado at 2nd and Uggla in LF come spring training.
SilentCC
December 16th, 2010
7:03 pm
Big and long contracts carry more potential for tears than for cheers. Once the big stuff is in the pocket, tell me — where… where is the incentive to work hard? It does not exist. Pride lasts only until things get real comfortable. Money IS the incentive — otherwise, players would stay right where they are, in a nice comfortable situation. And who is the poster child for that kind of move right now?
His last name is Werth. Left a World Series team to move to the bottom of the division for ….. mega $$$$$$$.
And once a lengthy contract is hanging on the wall it’s soooo easy for a player to have a couple of “off” years, why, it happens to everyone! It’s the owners that are the fools in this — that is NOT a good way to do business — usually. Which probably tips us all off that baseball is doing just fine — even in the lower levels of the league.
LivinInAL
December 16th, 2010
7:08 pm
I suppose we could stay with Brooks Conrad and save 12 million….. but if I remember correctly, his defense is not too good either.
K.C. Frenchy
December 16th, 2010
7:09 pm
In 2 years when Chipper & Lowe are off the books & hopefully we have a new owner we will be sittin pretty to be big buyers, the Phils pitching will be older & ours will be more experienced, then its time to start another long run of pennants, we have a great nucleus now! Go Bravos Ugga Ugga
Jt
December 16th, 2010
7:22 pm
Two things: (1) It’s not my money so it doesn’t bother me; and (2) he is probably going to produce 30 hr and 100 rbi for the next few years and in today’s market, that is pretty good price (see Carl Crawford). It is wise use of budget dollars.
P. Bull Terrier
December 16th, 2010
7:23 pm
Five years from now, when the Braves are paying a 35 year old Uggla $12 million on the last year of his contract, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies will be lesser players $12 million per season to pinch hit.
Christopher Chance
December 16th, 2010
7:25 pm
K.C. Frenchy……I agree with your 7:09pm post. $13 mil comes off the books after 2011 (McLousy and Kawacrappy)……and $37 mil after 2012 (Hudson, Lowe and The Dipper). Hudson would be the only one I’d re-sign, if he kept pitching like Tim Hudson.
However after 2012, Heyward and Hanson both become eligible for arbitration.
Hopefully Frank Wren will be smart and stay away from bad contracts (I dont see Uggla’s 5 year, $60 mil as being a bad contract). If Wren plays his cards right, the Braves will have a lot of cash to solidify the team either via a free agent OR via trade.
atlchris
December 16th, 2010
7:25 pm
Hey Mark. After reading your comments you got me thinking. Uggla may not be Chipper, but the 12 mil is good for this market. i do like it. However, it does mean that we need to expect to pick up a bat that will cost us $16 – $18mil. That is if we are to contend for the division.
Dap01
December 16th, 2010
7:26 pm
good deal.
Knowall Moreno
December 16th, 2010
7:28 pm
dawgfan, I have a inside source that works in the Bama athletic dept. that is best buds with Kirby Smart, hes already bought property in Athens for when the Dawgs come calling, if CMR has another rough year in 2011, HELLO Kirby! this is not rumor, its a FACT guaranteed. Merry Xmas to all Dawg fans, sic em WOOF WOOF!!!!!!!!!
K.C. Frenchy
December 16th, 2010
7:36 pm
Chris Chance, I think Huddy will end his career as a Brave, great guy & a bulldog on the mound, at least Lowe is NOW pitching like a #1, he was our best in September no doubt. If JJ comes back strong, I look for the FW to make a trade for an outfielder cause we all KNOW The Dipper will be on the DL with a boo boo, so Prado is our 3rd sacker, we still NEED a LF!!!!!!! I like Brett Gardner with the Yanks, good speed, young, & cheap. Go Bravos
TheAntiMe
December 16th, 2010
7:40 pm
WTF!
December 16th, 2010
6:55 pm
What exactly has this guy done for the Braves to earn this?
And just what exactly were you expecting him to do for the Braves being that he has played for the Marlins for the past 5 seasons?
What exactly did Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez do for the Red Sox to earn their contracts? What exactly did Adam Dunn do for the White Sox to earn his contract?
I can tell you what exactly Dan Uggla did to the Braves in the past to earn this contract but if you can’t comprehend that players aren’t supposed to do things to help their opposing teams, particularly teams within their own division then it would just be entirely pointless.
Yeah, But
December 16th, 2010
7:44 pm
Uggla for 12 mil a year over five years. Well if you figure Chipper has averaged 122 games a year over the last five years vs Uggla averaging 155 games a year over the same period of time then Uggla for five years at 12 mil is probably a bargain considering what Chipper has made for playing 33 fewer games a year than Uggla over the same period of time.
Over the last five years Uggla has averaged 93 rbi and 31 HR per season. Chipper has averaged 76 rbi and 21 HR over the same period of time. Chipper has the edge in BA, but this team has proven that BA doesn’t necessarily lead to run production.
So based on the last five years performance, who do you think the Braves will be over paying for the next couple of years if Uggla gets an extension at 12 mil a year?
I didn’t make the initial comparison between Uggla and Chipper. The writer is who chose to use Chipper as the bar to measure Uggla by.
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!!
December 16th, 2010
7:47 pm
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bro
December 16th, 2010
7:48 pm
AJC writer, were you for the trrade or against it? You have got to make up your mind to be on one side or the other. I forgot that you guys just write whatever for the hell of it. No reason or cause for your little minds worth of words. Just something to create a problem.
mg
December 16th, 2010
7:56 pm
If it’s true that Uggla’s fielding % is around the same as Infante’s, then it appears that there is a wash in that department. Uggla’s power numbers fit the Braves’ need for right handed power. As one person opined, in this economic era 12 mil is not too far out of line. The fifth year is obviously a consideration considering his age but i believe he’ll at least be good for 3 or 4 good years.
In conjunction with extending Uggla,now is the time to deal Derek Lowe. I believe there is a market for him. I think the Braves would be selling high and setting themselves up for other moves. I believe the Yankees and less so the Rangers or other teams would be interested in dealing for Lowe. I believe it was Branch Rickey who believed in trading a player a year early and getting better value than holding on to that player for another year. Trade for prospects and payroll flexibility. Spin the prospects(without depleting our prospects) for a young right handed hitting center fielder (Cain of Brewers?). Possibly sign Soriano for 2 years or any experienced closer will do to strengthen bullpen and lessen burden on Kimbrel and Venters (no need to rush Medlen). A lockdown bullpen will positively affect all the starters.Give Beachy,Minor or (late in the year)Teheran starting roles. More money can be used to trade Kawakami or McLouth or both. Trading deadline deals become possible. Trading Lowe will make it harder on paper to compete this year but sets the team up to better compete in the near future. Arbitration or long term deals for Jair and Hanson would be less onerous. How much closer to the Phils will the team be with Lowe?Not to denigrate Lowe but I believe a strong bullpen will affect as many games as Lowe might win. I have respect for Lowe but I think now is a fortuitous time to deal him. I don’t think he’d mind going to the Yankees. The prospect to improve the team short and especially long term is available by making this trade at this moment. Clubs are looking for reliable innings eating playoff tested pitchers.Remind you of anyone? He only has 2 years left on his deal. Not a long term commitment for the acquiring team.
The trade gives the Braves flexibility in acquiring a quality shortstop next year if Gonzalez is let go. It gives Beachy, Minor and Teheran two years to develop while still keeping the team competitive. Remember it took Smoltz and Glavine a couple of years at the Major league level to develop. A strong bullpen allows for greater protection for them and the staff as a whole. Kris Medlen is in this picture. If needed, he can be installed in the rotation in 2012. There are many positives for the roster if the trade is made. Now is the time if there’s a deal out there. I firmly believe there is a team willing to make a deal.
If the price is right, I would also consider signing Derek Lee.I respect Freeman’s talent. But you give Freeman time to develop. A healthy Derek Lee would add another strong right handed bat to the lineup. Late innings matchup tactics for the manager would improve with no loss of defensive capability. As we have seen, Lee saved a lot of errors for the infield last year. If he would accept this role, a 2 year deal would be good for the team. I believe he would get more at bats than it would seem at first glance. I believe Fredi is like Cox in the sense that he finds at bats for his players. Matt Diaz being an example of what I think could be done with Lee.
The Braves would have more payroll available next year for a quality free agent. So many things possible so little comparable downside.
Christopher Chance
December 16th, 2010
8:00 pm
K.C. Frenchy……..While it would be nice to see any production out of The Dipper in 2011, a part of me hopes that he stays hurt and cant play……so Fredo wont feel forced to put The Dipper in the #3 spot of the order.
Some Braves fans (and media types) keep wanting Chipper Jones to come back. However, Chipper Jones is long gone. What we have instead is The Dipper who is VASTLY OVERPAID, no range and terrible defense at 3rd……whose main contribution to the batting order is drawing walks (when batting #3 in the order requires MUCH MORE production like power and RBI’s).
KakNiqueTree
December 16th, 2010
8:11 pm
Amazing how so many folks here have such a hangup about ballplayers’ ages.
GovClintonTyree
December 16th, 2010
8:28 pm
Make the deal.
Christopher Chance
December 16th, 2010
8:30 pm
KakNique Tree…..I dont think that “age” is so much the issue…..as the ability of a player to not only produce BUT ALSO stay healthy…..IN RELATION to how much he is being paid….ALONG with how he is used (for instance, The Dipper hitting #3 in the batting order when healthy).
Real Braves fans want to see Fredo put the best time out there who are put in positions to produce and help us WIN………..we do not want to see Fredo play players to satisfy the insatiable need of so-called Braves fans who in fact are more loyal to certain players…then they are to the team.
It’s so-called Braves fans like those who could live with the Braves struggling…AS LONG as they get to see their favorite, over the hill, failing to re-live past glory, getting welfare playing time players play.
YES!
December 16th, 2010
8:49 pm
I am all for it, when is the last time a brave hit 30 pluse homers in season?
Don in Gwinnett
December 16th, 2010
8:50 pm
Sign him! Good grief, we have spent more on far less!!
MitchC
December 16th, 2010
8:58 pm
Mr Negative strikes again.
Mark, you know I like you, buddy, and I enjoy posting on your blog, but.. I remind you.. you are the same guy who predicted the 2010 Braves would finish, and I quote you.. “Bah humbug, third place”. I predicted they would win the wild card. Who was right?
Why must you look at the negative side of it? On one hand, all the AJC writers are all over the Braves for not spending money. Now, when they finally want to lock up a good, relatively young player, you’re all.. “It’s too much.., for too long”.
Think of it this way: Chipper, whether it’s now, or in a year or two.. is done. Our only power hitters besides Uggla are Mccann and Heyward. We need Uggla for our lineup going forward, especially when Chipper does hang it up.
12 mil for a hitter that can hit us 20 to 30 homers, and drive in 80 to 100 runs is not outrageous. While five years is a long time, we have had some success with five year contracts., IE. Greg Maddux.
I’m sorry, Mark, but I completely disagree with you on this one. I’d rather have a decent Uggla on the team for five years, then have a one and done guy like Tex was, who moved on, and is now producing for the Yankees.
I criticize FW, but I like this move. Hopefully, Uggla will stay healthy, but we know that can never be predicted. My feeling is, the Braves wanted to make sure they had a productive hitter in their lineup for a long time, and didnt end up trading away a lot for nothing. Signing Dan to a five year deal does this.
Don in Gwinnett
December 16th, 2010
8:59 pm
Right on, MitchC!
BravesfaninNashville
December 16th, 2010
9:03 pm
I don’t understand how so many posts here are so negative towards Frank Wren. Only 4 teams made the playoffs in the NL last year and the Braves were one of the four. In spite of losing Kris Medlin, Martin Prado, Chipper Jones and in the playoffs Billy Wagner we made a good showing and were one pitch away from having a 2-1 lead against the team that won the World Series. I place more blame on in game decisions for our elimination in the Playoffs than the players that were available on the roster with the budget Frank Wren has to work with. It’s hard not to love Bobby Cox as he was such a great players manager and got players to play hard and in many cases above their true talents just because they loved the man so much they wanted to please him. With that being said I am looking forward to the Fredi Gonzalez era. Frank Wren has rebuilt the pitching staff, kept all of our top prospects and landed a big right handed bat for the middle of the order in trade for a utility player and a pitcher that would have been our third lefty out of the pen. He has done all of that while absorbing the big dollars that Chipper is played to either not play or not play at the level the contract costs. Frank took so much heat from the many people on this blog for the way he handled Smoltz and Glavine at the end of their careers. Even though Boston gave Smoltz a very risky contract and ended up regretting it Wren took heat for not retaining Smoltz. It would have been a bad move to pay him $10 Million after his 4th major surgery. As Frank said at the time the Braves were willing to give John an incentive/performance based contract and were willing to pay Smoltz “to pitch” it’s just that the Red Sox were willing to guarantee the money and ended up paying him “not to pitch”. In the wake of that and Glavine’s exits he had to do something to prove he and the Braves weren’t heartless. So he signed Jones because he didn’t want another Braves future hall of famer finishing his career in another uniform.. He did what everyone wanted him to do at the time and now so many are wearing him out because he did just that. It’s kind of damned if you do damned if you don’t. The contract itself wasn’t bad assuming Chipper could still play at any decent level. I remember Chipper saying he wouldn’t hamstring this team with a contract if he couldn’t play at a high level anymore. I hope he meant that and would retire if he isn’t at least 90% in spring training. This is not Frank Wrens fault. I think signing Uggla to this deal makes all the sense in the world. He will over the next 5 years give us more offensive production than Jason Werth will the Nationals at a fraction of the price.
Naf Sevarb
December 16th, 2010
9:08 pm
Hey Mark,
You could have just wrote this: Who cares it Liberty’s money give him the dough and been done with this article. 12 mil is a deal with all the silly money being thrown around.
Naf Sevarb
December 16th, 2010
9:09 pm
Do it.
san diego dawg
December 16th, 2010
9:40 pm
No one can answer Mark’s question until late June or July. We will know by then. To question the man’s value to the team before he ever spits on home plate for the first time in a Braves uniform is a tad premature. Look, this is a legitimate right handed power bat who will hit between Chipper and McCann. If Chipper & McCann both increase production in power numbers and Uggla “only” hits 30 HR and “only” drives in 91-95 runs, then absolutely he is worth the money. If Chipper and McCann do not flourish with Dan batting between them, then Braves fans have a lot bigger problems to worry about than this $60 million question. Personally, I probably would have waited to do the extension if I were in charge. One can only hope getting this done early will bolster Dan’s confidence and keep him focused just on baseball once the season starts.
wide right
December 16th, 2010
9:48 pm
Personally, while of course I’d like to pay him less, i can see why Wren might agree to 5 years – 60MM. We havent had a right handed power guy hit over 30 HR’s since ‘06. Every year its what us Braves fans say we need and we havent had it for 4 years. Now we have one – at a relatively reasonable cost.
I’d prefer to have Jayson Werth in RF than Uggla at 2nd…but compare them over the last 3 seasons:
BA OBP SLG HRS
Werth – . 279 . .376 513 87
Uggla – 264 .361 493 96
Now i know Werth is better defensively…but i do consider Uggla to be average defensively and he does play a premium position. Uggla is a little younger. Still, Werth steals bases, etc….Werth is Worth more….but the guy just got 18MM a year for 7 years!!! RH power bats are at a premium and for FW to get a good one who hits great at Turner Field for less than half the long term commitment our division rival just paid Werth…i think it makes sense.
wide right
December 16th, 2010
9:50 pm
and when i wrote “i’d prefer to have Werth in RF” i didnt mean at the expense at JH. We are very well taken care of in right….JW could play a decent CF or a strong LF…but i hope you get my point.
Old Slugger
December 16th, 2010
9:54 pm
In light of the economy these salaries are obscene. No wonder tickets prices are out of reach of many (atleast the good seats)
James
December 16th, 2010
9:59 pm
Braves should have traded for Josh Willingham instead of letting the A’s get him he could have played in the outfield alongside Jason Heyward and Matin Prado.
Two UGA football players aid accident victim
December 16th, 2010
10:03 pm
With a name like Uga….Why not?
jed
December 16th, 2010
10:03 pm
it’s a good deal if you sign him to that contract only if he agrees to move to LF, so that prado can stay at second base. i hate the notion of playing uggla at 2b.
MiamiBrave
December 16th, 2010
10:10 pm
I’ve been watching Uggla for a number of years down here and trust me when I tell you that the Braves got a bargain especially compared to the money going to other top players this year. In all liklihood, he winds up at third after next year when Chipper retires and Prado goes back to second base. Now we just need one more 30+ HR corner OF type to put in the middle of the order and we should have a balanced lineup. Look for Wren to try and add someone like that next offseason when McLouth, KK, and Chipper hopefully come off the books. Maybe the yanks are getting desperate enough to give up Swisher for Lowe. Who knows?
K.C. Frenchy
December 16th, 2010
10:14 pm
Chipper should be in the 6 hole with J. Hey #3, Ugga cleanup & McCann 5th, Gonzo 7th, Freeman 8th, Prado perfect @ #2. That puts no pressure on Freeman to hit right away, but unfortunately leaves us with the McOut/Shafer prayer at leadoff, they both have speed but like the old timers say, you cant steal 1st base!!!!! The Dipper in the 3 hole is a HUGE mistake & really is giving Larry too much respect, yes he was MVP, but in what, 1999???? He gets on base & can still hit doubles but as far as power, hes DONE!!!!! I say hes hits about 12 dingers this year, & I bet Im not far off, Go Bravos
Joe Tess Fish House
December 16th, 2010
10:19 pm
What does it mater who they sigh. Braves mesed up by getting a loosing manager.
John
December 16th, 2010
10:23 pm
Which is worth more to society, a baseball player or a high school math teacher? That we have our priorities wrong is why we have so many problems.
Jim
December 16th, 2010
10:33 pm
I thought they traded too much for him when they gave up Omar……
J-Hey
December 16th, 2010
10:33 pm
“it isn’t your money. It’s Liberty Media’s”
why do I get the feeling if fans just stopped showing up to the ballpark, that would be worded differently?
Cale
December 16th, 2010
10:38 pm
Sounds like it should be Uggla making the move to left field instead of Prado if he’s really that bad on defense. As far as salary, the bottom line is that you have to spend this type of money to get a proven bat in the lineup these days. Otherwise, we have to get the washed up 38 year old like we normally get to fill the void for a year. Either way, I bet Uggla LOVES (*sarcasm) to be welcomed to Atlanta with these type or articles from our local paper.
willie
December 16th, 2010
10:47 pm
I agree with the posters that think $60 mill over 5 years sounds like a steal compared to the Werth deal.
kral
December 16th, 2010
10:50 pm
i’m on the Price is Right…I take that deal look forward to having him….Freddie has managed him..trust Freddie’s opinion of him as a 2b man…I am sure him a Wren conferred..
bob
December 16th, 2010
10:51 pm
Sounds like the going rate for his average performance. You eventually have to hitch your wagon to somebody. The Braves’ success in this decade will be decided by how well the next wave from the farm produce. For now they must eat the Chipper, KK & McLouth contracts.
zeke
December 16th, 2010
10:52 pm
NO! NO! HELL NO! IN FACT NOT ON SINGLE DAMN SO CALLED PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IS WORTH WHAT THEY ARE PAID!!! RIDICULOUS! I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A TICKET!
kral
December 16th, 2010
10:55 pm
Cale do you know that martini a I like to call him is a dang good of. and uggla’s never played there…and fredie has stated he is confident with his df.. and you make a cutting remark and refer to markie’s article
Largo
December 16th, 2010
11:04 pm
You said Uggla isn’t Chipper and I say, Thank God for that!
jo jo
December 16th, 2010
11:30 pm
AT TODAYS PRICES HE WORTH THE 60 MIL.
Sam Alex
December 16th, 2010
11:31 pm
Hi Mark, First of all I have been a Braves fan since the Braves were in Boston plus I followed them very closely. Yes I do disagree with you and signing Uggla for 5 yrs at $60 million is a steal. You must of slept on the wrong side of bed. Come on Mark get a life.
Steve
December 16th, 2010
11:38 pm
I have absolutely no problems with signing Uggla to that amount.
For one, Nate McLouth has a 1.25 million club buyout after 2011 if we need to cut his $10.65 million salary.
For another, KK’s 6.7 million will be off the books next year.
Lastly, Chipper will only be around a couple more years, three if he reaches his vesting options by playing in enough games.
Most importantly, the Braves haven’t had a reliable right-handed hitter since Andruw was in his prime, and Uggla is actually better. It’s second base. If he can turn a DP and make routine plays, then we can get by. Let’s also not forget that he isn’t a one or two year wonder, but a legit 5 year stud.