Dan Uggla gets $62 million over five years, and I say, ‘Ugh’
All I'm saying: Remember Game 3. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Were Dan Uggla about to turn 29, as opposed to 31, this might be a good deal. Were the Braves based in the American League, as opposed to the ol’ Senior Circuit, this might be a good deal. But he isn’t and they aren’t.
The Braves have agreed to re-up Uggla, who hasn’t yet played a game for them, for $62 million over five years. That’s not nearly Jayson-Werth-to-Washington money, but it’s a huge outlay by Braves standards. It’s also the biggest contract afforded any second baseman in baseball, and Uggla is a second baseman in name only.
Uggla’s real position is batter, and he’s really good there. And yes, the Braves needed a hitting upgrade, right-handed hitting especially. So that part makes sense. What makes less is this: To accommodate Uggla, the Braves are willing to weaken an already-crummy defense by moving Martin Prado, who’s better at second base than Uggla, to left field.
Defense in baseball is a funny thing: Almost nobody notices it until they see it’s not there. Then the wailing begins. The Braves just lost a playoff series because they couldn’t play D, but much of that was a function of circumstance: Chipper Jones and then Prado had gotten hurt and poor Brooks Conrad had to play someplace. If the Braves are still lousy defensively in 2011 and beyond, it won’t be an accident: It will be because they’ve made the considered decision to acquire and then extend Uggla.
I know what you’re saying: “What’s the big deal? If he drives in two runs a game he’ll make up giving one back.” But that’s not quite true. Bad D has an erosive effect on a team’s psyche. Let’s recall that the first moves made by John Schuerholz when he arrived from Kansas City were to sign Terry Pendleton, Sid Bream and Rafael Belliard — not so much for their hitting (although the Braves reaped the bonus of having Pendleton lead the league in batting average) but for their defense. Schuerholz knew the heart of his inherited team had to be its young pitching, and he wanted above all to give his young pitchers a chance.
Even with Uggla, the Braves going forward figure to be better at pitching than hitting. The presence of Uggla at second base (and, by extension, Prado in left) could undermine that pitching. We just saw the Giants win a World Series without hitting much — the Braves outhit outscored San Francisco over 162 games, FYI — because of an ability to pitch, yes, but also because of the capacity to catch.
I understand why the Braves wanted Uggla. They’ll need a batting-order anchor in case the post-surgical Chipper doesn’t return to his 2008 form, and they’re tired of one year rentals. (See Teixeira, Mark. Also Drew, J.D.) That said, signing a player of Uggla’s age to such a contract knowing he really doesn’t have a position is a real reach.
Pitching and defense are supposed to go hand in glove. Uggla’s glove is for ornamental purposes only. There are better ways to spend $62 million.
By Mark Bradley
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344 comments Add your comment
Dawgdad (The Original)
January 5th, 2011
10:43 am
Right on, Mark. I like Uggla, but the fourth and fifth year of this contract will be iffy to say the least. I would have prefered to let Uggla walk and use some of our pitching prospects to acquire a good middle infielder or centerfield prospect.
It seems the Braves can only draft and develop pitchers, so Wren needs to get off his reluctance to trade promisiong pitchers or chnage his draft strategy.
Mark Bradley
January 5th, 2011
10:46 am
Thanks, Dominic.
coach13
January 5th, 2011
10:46 am
Mr. Bradley- While I agree with you it was the anemic and inconsistent offense that plagued the Braves throughout the offense. If Chipper would just retire he could not only save the BRaves a butt load of money but could allow Martin to play 3b opening up an OF spot for a solid defender. Instead you have a washed up 3b eating 14 mil a year while playing a productive player in Prado out of position.
Chopper
January 5th, 2011
10:49 am
Reportedly Adrian Beltre is going to sign with Texas for 5 years and $80 million dollars. Look it up, Beltre is one year older and doesn’t compare to Uggla power wise since 2006 when Uggla came into the big leagues.
So on the open market Dan Uggla would be getting this type of deal. You can tell me that Beltre’s defense is worth $20 million more.
The Braves are making a great deal to keep Uggla here!!! Any suggestion to the contrary completely ignores what the market place is telling us.
Braves#1
January 5th, 2011
10:49 am
Rumor is the AJC is looking at further reducing payroll and MB is again grasping at any straw to hang on with another article that makes no sense. Good job Braves.
Prof
January 5th, 2011
10:51 am
If Uggla had left after this one year via free agency, Bradley would have been the first in time to moan about the Braves letting another one get away.
CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS BRADLEY
Benjamin
January 5th, 2011
10:56 am
The Uggla move puts a real anchor in the middle of our lineup. He’s got more homers from the right side since 2006 than anyone not named Albert Pujols, and he’s still relatively young.
This deal > > > > the Derek Lowe signing, which stank from the beginning because Lowe will be pushing 40 at the end of his contract.
yunel asscobar
January 5th, 2011
10:57 am
Mark – we should be thankful for Uggla’s arrival and view it as a significant step toward getting back into the post-season consistently. We always hated facing Uggla when he came to bat with the Fish, and how many times has he beaten the Braves over the years? Now, he’s on the home team. That’s a very good addition.
Fredi says his defense is okay and he’s had the chance to watch him up close, day in, day out. Dude, we’re talking about Kelly Johnson in comparison! He was no Brooks Robinson, if you get my drift. We have some stud bats in the line-up in 2011 and solid pitching. The Braves will be fine.
If you want to talk questionable contracts…KK is far better subject matter than Uggla. We will love this kid and though I’m far from a Wren fan, I see this as an outstanding move to upgrade the Braves.
If he doesn’t work out….ship him to Toronto, eh?
Ron Roberts
January 5th, 2011
11:03 am
I get your concern, Mark, and agree, to an extent; but Chase Utley’s made 13, 12, and 11 errors in his last three seasons, while Uggla’s made 13, 16 and 18. Robinson Canoe made 13, 13, 12 then inexplicably – only THREE last season. It’s a position where you’re going to get a lot of chances, so the error potential is high, anyhow.
For us to have Prado AND Uggla in our lineup, I’m okay with an extra 3.6 errors over the course of the year.
And if it becomes a real issue, I think everybody will be big boys and swap Martin and Uggla on the field at some point.
jack
January 5th, 2011
11:04 am
Chipper will be gone after this season. Uggla will move to third and take his salary place as well. All is well.
Ted Striker
January 5th, 2011
11:04 am
Birds falling from the sky in Arkansas on NYE.
Fish dying near the Ozark.
Birds dying in Louisiana.
Then 2 million fish dying in Chesapeake Bay.
Now the Braves go and spend $62 million on Dan Uggla? The apocalypse is upon us.
I am going up to the roof and sing Do-Lord.
Ozzie
January 5th, 2011
11:05 am
Regarding Chipper (coming back really fit) he was quoted over that last 10 days saying he is so out of shape he was heaving on his front lawn after a jog.
Chipper has never been a gym rat and at 39 don’t expect him to show up to camp in decathlon shape.
I have no problem with the Uggla deal IF Wren can still fix the OF (LF and CF) in 2012 or July 2011 if needed. That said I would have made it a 4yr deal but he wasn’t staying in ATL for 4 yrs it was five or FA.
If Wren cries we are broke over the next two years and they continue to have TBDs in the OF and possibly SS (Gonzo won’t be back IMHO) the Uggla deal will be like peeing on a forest fire.
He is one move. They still have 2-3 moves left in order to make this a WS caliber team. Uggla keeps them from missing the post season entirely in 2011 that is it.
They believe it means going a few games deeper into the post season but with the moves being made in the NL East that is wishful thinking. Caveat: If Chipper actually plays the whole season and say north of 110 games (effectively) they have a chance at the WC.
Chipper sits more than not then the OF will be poor once again with Mather/Hinske in LF and Nate and TBD in CF.
Heyward cannot play all three spots or hit for same.
bro
January 5th, 2011
11:06 am
Bradley, did you advise Frank Wren on how the 63 million should have been spent prior to his making the move or do you only speak up after the fact to criticize every move that is made. Try not to be so critical all the time. You don’t have to agree with every move, but it may be good once in awhile to be reasonable and point a few good facts. I would like to hear how you would have spent the money. Let’s hear it big man.
PMC
January 5th, 2011
11:08 am
Prado can probably play shortstop too.
blazerdawg
January 5th, 2011
11:09 am
Oh for cryin out loud – the guy is worth it.
coachx
January 5th, 2011
11:09 am
There are better ways to spend $62 mill according to Mark Bradley.
What might those ways be Mark ? Is that your next article. Players are getting HUGE contracts in this off season. Who could the Braves have signed for $62 mill ?
Now that he has his money he would probably be open to switch to RF with Prado if his defense is a problem.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2011
11:12 am
We only have to pay half since he only plays offense. Surely, the Braves are not going to put him at 2nd over Prado. Prado isnt great, err good, but he is better than Uggla
Ed
January 5th, 2011
11:12 am
It is so childish to wrire an article such as this simply to have something to argue about. Do we not have enough turmoil in this world without intentionly trying to invent more? Grow up please.
fla dawg
January 5th, 2011
11:12 am
DV… can you please tell me exactly where you got the one game per year stat. i would like to see it for myself. i stand behind my comment that your comment of “defense is over rated” is umbelievably ignorant. come on other bloggers and Bradley, jump on the “no defense” bandwagon with DV…..yeah right!
Nova Scotia Steve
January 5th, 2011
11:14 am
I’m liking this deal folks.
I mean sometimes like its a lose-lose situation for Wren and company. Not fair. They did the right thing.
Like the deal…like the power he brings…think his defense is better then public perception. However, I don’t expect Uggla to be at 2B for the entire contract. I think he’ll be moved possibly to the OF at some point.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2011
11:14 am
PMC, Prado can’t play SS. Omar could but not Prado. Limited range, glove and arm
voice of reason
January 5th, 2011
11:15 am
maybe tpcan work with him and turn him into a jason haystack no wit we already have guys to stike out and bounce out4-3 and miss cut off men scratch that idea and as for js moves he brought in a clubhouse cancer in tp an imobile pylon in bream and a carrerr 190 niiter in belliard and thise were hiss good moves we wont mention tex will we lmao
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2011
11:17 am
Fla Dawg, agree with you, team was built on defense in ‘91. Bream and Pendelton were both brought in for their D. It just turned out Terry started hitting when he hit the ground in Atl.
Tron5000
January 5th, 2011
11:18 am
I’m not at all concerned with the guy’s age. He’ll be 35 at the end of the deal, which isn’t over-the-hill for a RH slugger. I can’t get past a couple stats with the guy: First 2B in history with 4 straight 30-HR seasons, and leading RH HR hitter in NL after Pujols in last 5 years.
I really think that if his average stays where it was last year or goes up, and if he gives the Braves a few seasons around 30 & 100, $12.4 million per campaign isn’t too much to part with for that production.
And he’s not exactly brick hands at 2B. I do kinda wish Hubbard were still around to work with him on his D, though.
inthecellar
January 5th, 2011
11:22 am
I think all the owners of teams should be taxed at 90%. If they can pay that much in wages and raise the ticket prices, then I say tax the hell out of them.
Smack
January 5th, 2011
11:22 am
2010 dWAR’s: Uggla -1.0. Prado -0.9. Wow Mark, big difference there. Someone needs there diaper changed!
Chief pitchanono
January 5th, 2011
11:33 am
I think his defensive problems may be overblown, but he is a huge bat in the middle of our lineup that was sorely needed and no one can argue that. Give him a chance at second and see what happens, I believe it will workout fine. The Braves got the best hitter they could have possibly have hoped for, for the money. Everyone should be thrilled, we have had great pitching for a couple of years now, but we have been a little short offensively, now we have added a big bat to go with the pitching. Be Happy!! 2011 should be another great season.
beone
January 5th, 2011
11:33 am
After reading this, all I can say is thank goodness that playing the games is important and reading about them (or the team) is a waste of time. Why do I continue to read this pathetic drivel? I must be insane!
Mikey
January 5th, 2011
11:37 am
DOB- You can’t be serious. The Braves just locked up the most powerful 2b in the major leagues over the last 5 years, by 20hrs. And your concerned about his “D”? By the way Utley makes more and produces less and ask any Philly fan if he is a gold glove.
Carlton
January 5th, 2011
11:39 am
Just like the Braves front office in recent years: find a problem, throw money at it. See Kawakami, Kenshin Hampton,Mike McClouth,Nate Jones,Chipper Teixeira,Mark Drew,J.D. Lowe,Derrek
We could have saved a lot more money and dumped McClouth to at least the bench by suring up center and using both Infante in left/Prado at second. The next 3 years can’t come fast enough for the Braves when they can 1) get rid of McClouth, 2) finally have Chipper retire, 3) have Terhan and other prospects come up from the farm so they can save money and have major talent at the same time (Heyward will be asking for more by then though).
Ted Turner was an eccentric owner, but he’s starting to look more and more like a fiscal genius compared to Wren/Schurholtz.
DV
January 5th, 2011
11:41 am
fla dawg, look at the numbers provided by Smack. 2010 dWAR: Uggla -1.0. Prado -0.9. Virtually insignificant over the course of a season. You can trot out your lineup of defensive specialists and see how that works out for you. Baseball comes down to starting pitching and hitting. Specifically, teams with a high OBP and SLG will win. Uggla provides both.
sidslidkid
January 5th, 2011
11:42 am
“It seems the Braves can only draft and develop pitchers…” – Dawgdad (The Original)
What about our all-star left fielder, catcher, right fielder and HOF 3rd baseman? Freeman seems to have been a pretty good draft pick too.
Toyt Like A Tiger
January 5th, 2011
11:42 am
ALL YOU DA’s WILL SHUT YOUR FREAKING MOUTHS ABOUT THIS CONTRACT WHEN UGGLA HITS 35 HOMERS NEXT YEAR. SPARE THE TRASH TALK ON UGGLA B/C HE WILL LOOK LIKE A HUGE BARGAIN WHEN NEXT YEAR IS DONE WITH. Aholes!
BRAVES FAN 1966
January 5th, 2011
11:45 am
what do you suggest mark you bring up the fact that the braves had great defence and out standing pitching in the 90s and yet ONLY ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP !!! what do you think the problem was?
Toyt Like A Tiger
January 5th, 2011
11:46 am
Let me put it this way, would you rather have a year of Uggla and let him walk then say fire Wren or sign him long term now cheaper and have one of the worst offenses in the league in 2012? Yea SHUT UP thats what i thought.
Toyt Like A Tiger
January 5th, 2011
11:47 am
one of the worst offenses in 2012 if we didnt sign Uggla long term i meant.
Toyt Like A Tiger
January 5th, 2011
11:49 am
Uggla will have a career year next year, mark that junk down.
skip
January 5th, 2011
11:50 am
When the Uggla saga started I said that if the Braves gave him five years and sixty-plus millions it was a bad deal. My feeling is that this contract will come back and bite the Braves in the butt in about three years. Hope I’m wrong.
Alan
January 5th, 2011
11:51 am
Mark, I have to disagree with you. In today’s market, Uggla’s deal is a bargain and you know it. He’s the durable, middle-of-the-order, right-handed power hitter that the Braves have sorely needed ever since they traded Teixeira. He’s also hard-nosed and tough as nails. Braves fans are going to love him. Is there risk involved in giving him a guaranteed 5-year contract? Of course, but I believe it’s a risk worth taking. We’ll all enjoy seeing Heyward, Uggla and McCann anchoring the middle of the lineup for the next 5 years. Have the Braves sacrificed some defense at 2B? A little, but not that much. You mentioned how well the Giants caught the ball last season. Really? I don’t have statistics in front of me, but my eyes tell me that, aside from Posey (catcher), Sanchez (second base), and Torres (center field), all of their defenders were below average. For more than half the season, the immobile Pablo Sandoval played third and for a good chunk of the latter part of the season they had the equally immobile Pat Burrell in left and Jose Guillen in right. Edgar Renteria was magnificent in the postseason, but that was on offense. His range at short is extremely limited. The Giants are not World Champions because of their defense. Or, for that matter, their speed (which is another thing so many folks complain about when discussing the Braves). They’re champions because of strong pitching and clutch hitting. Locking up Dan Uggla — in his prime and at the top of his game and at an affordable salary — is an excellent move for the Braves.
steve
January 5th, 2011
11:55 am
We need a proven right handed power hitter and we got one, he is not as bad a defender as you think he is, lets be happy we improved our lineup and quit worrying about his defense, he is going to help us win period.
Matt the Brave
January 5th, 2011
11:56 am
So, Mark, if you say that this is a bad contract for the Braves, maybe your jinx will work still!
In reality, I think that the Braves are going to end up overpaying in the last two years of this deal, but I’ve been wrong as well. I know he says that he’s a 2B, but do you think that they would move him to LF when Prado moves back to 3B after Chipper retires?
timthebrave
January 5th, 2011
11:56 am
We are a better team with Uggla. We will see about the defense. I think it is about the same as Prado and better than Brooksie. Plus they gave the CEO of Liberty almost 87 million for one year.
Carlton Berry
January 5th, 2011
11:58 am
You use the fact that Martin is a better 2nd baseman and Uggla’s age as reasons to not sign him. Chipper’s and others decline seems most often to begin at age 35-36. I think Uggla’s body frame has move long term potential then he had. If Martin is still a Brave 5 years from now, He will not be a left filder. He will proably play as many games this year at 1st or 3rd as left field. Uggla will hit 35 plus home runs at least twice during this contract. He may lead the team in home runs every Year. Worth is the same age and now has hit over 25 home runs all of two years in a row.
Paul Johnson's Johnson
January 5th, 2011
11:59 am
Mark,
You are starting 2011 off very badly…..You are wrong as usual…..I think Florence, Al is hiring a beat writer. Maybe you can cover the UNA Lions!!
26 UZR and -10.4 UZR/150 in Florida
3.4 UZR and a 1.4 UZR/150 everywhere else.
So outside of the Marlins terrible stadium, he is actually a career + defender
ThePriceIsWrongBitch!
January 5th, 2011
11:59 am
Hmmm…
Got to say that I agree with your assessment MB. But… what other options do/did we have to get a decent bat in the line-up.
I see a position change in Uggla’s future- maybe LF.
Go Bravos!
GoBraves!
January 5th, 2011
12:01 pm
This is a freaking steal! Especially at per year salary. Is 5 years too risky? Sure. He’ll be in mid 30’s by then. But no team can sign a player of his caliber at his age with less than 5 years these days. If he can still hit 20+ hrs at the end of this contract, it’d be still a good deal. He’ll easily have more than 100 rbis this year. Mark it down. Only reason people think Uggla’s defense is terrible base it on one All Star game when he had 3 errors. He’s no worse than any average 2nd baseman at worst.
BravesFan/Atlanta Native
January 5th, 2011
12:02 pm
Uggla will be fine…give him a chance before ripping into him. I’d be more concerned about Prado playing out of position and hitting .250 because of it.
Reds Fan
January 5th, 2011
12:03 pm
I think Dam Ugly is worth it myself.
Fire Frank Wren
January 5th, 2011
12:03 pm
What’s up with the careless AJC writers not knowing who they are writing about? MB calls Uggla “Utley” and yesterday Schultz called the Braves’ new manager “Fredi Rodriguez” as opposed to his actual name–Gonzalez. Do you guys not proofread? Maybe you could hire a middle school student to catch the mistakes you don’t.
I’m not a fan of Frank Wren, but I disagree with MB. I think this is one of the best moves, if not the best move other than re-signing Huddy, Wren has made since becoming GM (although it could be better if Uggla goes to LF and Prado goes to 2B). $12M a year is a much better deal than $15M for Lowe, $13M a year for Chipper, $6M a year for McLouth, or nearly $7M a year for Kawakami.
If the Braves had NOT signed Uggla to an extension, the cost of Uggla as a one-year rental would have compounded the initial problem with the trade in the first place.
BravesFan/Atlanta Native
January 5th, 2011
12:03 pm
No matter what we do..Atlanta will always be ridiculed for having fare weather fans and a half empty ballpark for big games…Atlanta is a transient town with a small amount of people who grew up like I did going to see the Braves lose…but supporting them none the less. When the stadium area got too violent, (and tickets got too expensive), we stopped going.
Just wondering..are their any lifelong Braves fans still out there?