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
king donko of punchstania
January 5th, 2011
12:06 pm
Mark – you should do an investigative report about the people who live to be the first to make a comment on AJC sports articles. I wonder what other important daily life activities are avoided in order to get the elusive “kudos” acknowledgement for posting “first!”.
timthebrave
January 5th, 2011
12:07 pm
Mark…What do you suggest? Not signing him….Just give up Omar and some decent pitching for a one year rental?
timthebrave
January 5th, 2011
12:10 pm
BravesFan/Atlanta Native, You sound like a fairweather fan. I park in the lot right across from the field and get tickets really cheap. For 2 people to go to a game and park close by you can spend $15-25. Not a violent area in the parking lots. Just Braves fans.
Chris
January 5th, 2011
12:10 pm
Please stop writing articles.
Jeff
January 5th, 2011
12:12 pm
I say we bring in Willie Martinez to play second.
GoBraves!
January 5th, 2011
12:14 pm
timthebrave, exactly! Mark Bradley and other detractors of this deal simply do not understand that it’s nearly impossible to sign an offensive player of his caliber at that kind of contract anymore if he leaves after one year. They should thank that Uggla’s agent is not someone like Scott Boras. It’s all relative. $12.5 mil is A LOT of money to us but it’s not much in MLB world. Werth, Crawford, Lee, and so on just proved it this past month or two.
ArkyTech
January 5th, 2011
12:14 pm
Mark, it’s OK to have your opinion – you may end up being right. But if you are going to make comments like “There are better ways to spend $62 million,” then you need to say what those better ways are. You are criticizing plans without offering any of your own. Weak.
Nova Scotia Steve
January 5th, 2011
12:18 pm
I don’t really think we can criticize the attendance after last year’s home play-off games and that philly series and final home stand in general.
Braves fans showed up last year (Maddux, Glavine, Cox ceremonies) etc…the Strasburgh start…it was a great season.
During the NLDS – I’ve never seen or heard Turner Field that loud and full of energy in all my life and I’ve been a Braves fan for about 16 or 17 years.
Jim B
January 5th, 2011
12:28 pm
To Braves Fan/Atlanta Native I am a life long Braves fan and a Crackers fan before that. I follow the Braves on TV, the press and internet but go to games occasionally only to take grandchildren. Too expensive, too much time, just not worth the hassle. The ones who set the ridiculous prices are the ones who don’t have to pay them.
GoBraves!
January 5th, 2011
12:28 pm
Nova Scotia Steve, I agree the last game was loud and full of energy but it was still not a sold out game. I saw a lot of empty seats in Upper level. I think it was full in game 3. It’s kind of puzzling as everybody knew game 4 was potentially Bobby Cox’s last game as Braves manager.
Dave in Buford
January 5th, 2011
12:31 pm
I used the same argument myself recently in a watercooler discussion about Uggla … the Braves deliberately signed defense back in 1991 because Schuerholz knew he was building the team around pitching, so I agree with you, Mark … this is going against the previously very successful approach. I’m not sure its a good idea, but the problem is that they don’t have a lot of choice and no big hitters in the minors are going to show up any time soon.
BigHittas
January 5th, 2011
12:31 pm
Move Chipper to first, and put Prado at third. Freeman is not ready, I don’t understand the hype.
TB
January 5th, 2011
12:40 pm
After the Nats signed a contract with Werth (older & with far less HRs, RBIs, & Runs) for 7-years at $18million, Dan Uggla is a steal. And just like actors, the players & winning percentages sell tickets.
Senator Blutarski
January 5th, 2011
12:44 pm
I’m still upset about the Rico Carty-for-Jim Panther trade.
Farnsworth
January 5th, 2011
12:45 pm
Huh? Utley? I thought we were talking about Uggla.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
12:45 pm
No Mark, but Chippers 12 million hurt them. Do you know anything about any sport?
N8
January 5th, 2011
12:47 pm
Mark, for the most part I semi-agree with you. I was hounding for better defense all summer (even before Chipper and Prado got hurt). But it’s strange that they would move Prado to LF and not Uggla.
If Uggla was a mediocre to below average LF who hit 30+ bombs a year, he’s a steal at 12 million per year. If he hits 30+ bombs a year at 2B and makes a ton of errors that cost us games? Not so much.
But don’t act like we’re moving Joe Morgan in his prime to LF for Brooks Conrad. Prado is only slightly better than Uggla defensively. Like KJ before him and Giles before him… it’s been a LONG time since the Braves haven’t gone with an offense first 2B and let the defesnse fall where it may.
So why should that change now?
My thought process, is that eventually Prado will be at 3B and Uggla will be in LF. Maybe as soon as 2012. So, I’m not really that concerned. But for 2011? Yeah. Catching the ball could be an issue.
Boys better be ready to hit.
N8
January 5th, 2011
12:52 pm
“Move Chipper to first, and put Prado at third. Freeman is not ready, I don’t understand the hype.”
What do you do the other 120+ games? If Chipper plays in 40 games this year and is even remotely anything more than a shell of his former self, I’ll apologize, but if you were to ask me who would have more impact on the lineup in 2011?
I’d probably lean towards Freeman being more productive. Add to that, is a blog focused around defense (or lack there of), there is a very real chance that Freeman is likely the best person (at his position) defensively on the field.
Prado in LF: average at best
Nate in CF: average at best
Heyward in RF: well above average but still has work to do
Chipper at 3B: average at best coming off of knee surgery
Gonzo at SS: Above average, steady but not spectacular
Uggla at 2B: Yikes
Mac at Catcher: he’s improved, but he’s again average at best.
Leaving us Freeman at 1B. Possibly one of the slickest fielding 1B to come around in a while. If he hits enough to remain on the big league club? He’ll be winning (or at least in the running) for gold gloves within 4-5 years.
Kashi
January 5th, 2011
12:52 pm
Mark Bradley get out of town and go cover Yankees. Money we are paying to Uggla… we are getting better production then Mark Texeira demanded money to stay with Braves. Defense Mark’s is better but $$$, way better Uggls’s then his.
Skeezix
January 5th, 2011
12:53 pm
Yeah Mark, Wren may have overpaid a little. But he’s a solid stick and this is not like the predictable disaster that KK’s signing was. FW’s signings have been getting progressively better. He has finally put the pieces together–excepting CF of coure. Truth is we really need Uggla’s bat (needed it last year). I was tired of him feasting on Braves pitching. Now he can rip on opposing pitchers for us.
Skeezix
January 5th, 2011
12:55 pm
Oh,and Mark–don’t leave town.
Ludmilla-Sports Genius
January 5th, 2011
12:57 pm
A touchdown is better than a homerun because it’s worth 6 points.
Michael
January 5th, 2011
1:00 pm
Mark start supporting are teams stop putting them down
jimmya
January 5th, 2011
1:00 pm
sure beats last years lineup huh
Kashi
January 5th, 2011
1:01 pm
Mark my words, Nate McClouth in CF will be much better defensively and offensively then 2010. He will be the difference maker in this team in 2011. Uggla’s bat in lineup will make opponent’s pitcher arms to fall cuz his bat makes our line up stronger and pitcher must make better pitch to get our guys out. Guys in our line up should get 4 – 5 BA every night. Bring it on phillies..I’m ready!
Jim
January 5th, 2011
1:02 pm
Another good thing about this deal is not having to worry about him beating us. That sumbitch single handedly beat us 3 or 4 times every year when he was with the fish.
Ted Striker
January 5th, 2011
1:05 pm
If you guys know darn well a guy meant Uggla when he wrote Utley, then what’s the big deal?
Try writing 15-20 weekly real-time blogs — sans proofreader — while simultaneously tweeting, twerping, chirping, responding to blokes like Ted Striker and occasionally…occasionally…making your way through the nearest Taco Bell drive through for a well balanced meal.
bruce
January 5th, 2011
1:10 pm
Mark,
what is you take on Fredi G’s comments in defense of Uggla’s defense?
Not quoting here, memory only, but it was something like Dan tries to make some plays when he should just keep the ball in his glove, so they are errors of playing aggressive.
Formul8or
January 5th, 2011
1:10 pm
The Braves finally spend some money for a power hitter and it cost way less than Werth and Crawford for someone with better hitting numbers. This was a steal for us
theJakester
January 5th, 2011
1:11 pm
Those of you who talk about Uggla being a poor defensive second baseman need to do a little more homwork. I realize those being critical of Uggla are either Marlins fans who are upset that he does not want to play for a disaster of a franchise in Florida or are Phillie fans acting out. Uggla was 3rd in innings played at second base in all of baseball and his fielding precentage was 0.976. He played in almost 1400 innnings about a 3rd of all other second baseman even played 1000 innings. So lots more chances and an above average fielding percentage and hall of fame type numbers from the second baseman position from the plate makes this a steal at the number the Braves are giving him.
jimmya
January 5th, 2011
1:11 pm
seems to me braves never get scouting report on teams they going to play listen to anouncers tell us the hitters hotspot our pitchers throw it right there there it goes
Kashi
January 5th, 2011
1:11 pm
Mark – STOP covering braves. You have no clue !
Del
January 5th, 2011
1:13 pm
MB, your batting avg wasn’t too good in 10. I see that you are off to a flying start in 11.
theJakester
January 5th, 2011
1:13 pm
@Kashi – I COMPLETELY agree. Mark is probably one of the most negative sportswriters I’ve EVER seen.
jimmya
January 5th, 2011
1:16 pm
hey mark gets responces tho
Jim
January 5th, 2011
1:18 pm
He’s not that bad defensively, and its a fair trade off to get his power numbers. Its not like our infield has always been an impenetrable wall anyways. Remember Kelly Johnson at 2nd? He played defense like a wet fart and we still made out ok.
Chpatt
January 5th, 2011
1:19 pm
Make up your mind. Do you want 30 home runs for a possible 5 years or not? yeah, that’s what I thought.
Chpatt
January 5th, 2011
1:19 pm
Enter your comments here
Lemke's Knuckler
January 5th, 2011
1:20 pm
Uggla is a bargain at 5/62 compared to the 100+ mil contracts being handed out right now. He’s no Robbie Alomar, but he’ll do just fine with the glove. I don’t think there’s any evidence to label him a “defensive liability”
But good optimistic article Bradley, appreciate it.
Stone
January 5th, 2011
1:20 pm
and Mark – If Uggla has 1 error a game he’ll have 162 on the season. which along with his 324 RBI would be a record by a large margin.
Jim
January 5th, 2011
1:20 pm
and Jesus, Bradley. You dont have to nitpick to find something to stir the pot about in your blogs. You can actually write about how things are looking ok and people will be fine with it. If you want to blast someone, UGA is ripe for the picking.
Mark Bradley
January 5th, 2011
1:23 pm
Yes, it would, Stone.
fla dawg
January 5th, 2011
1:23 pm
dv…. I am not saying trot out defensive specialist. and I like the Uggla deal. your theory of defense being over rated is so wrong and is exactly opposite of what so many baseball people(who know a lot more than i do) think that is not even debatable. there were seven series in last years postseason. the winner in five of those series had the higher fielding percentage. the same team beat the odds in two series and that was the rangers and it finally caught up with them in losing to the giants. you trot your great starting pitching out there and see how great they are without a good defense behind them,
Tweets that mention Dan Uggla gets $62 million over five years, and I say, ‘Ugh’ | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 5th, 2011
1:26 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steven a foust. Steven a foust said: Dan Uggla gets $62 million over five years, and I say, 'Ugh …: Uggla's real position is batter, and he's reall… http://bit.ly/h20yWq [...]
iopbrave
January 5th, 2011
1:30 pm
Uggla is a good deal – his defense may cost a handful of runs over 162 + games – his offense will more than offset one run every 30 games or so- also we defensively upgraded left field with Martin as well as first base with Freeman and if McLouth has a lousy spring whomever we put in center will be better improvement
iopbrave
January 5th, 2011
1:31 pm
rather … and if McLouth has a lousy spring whomever we put in center will be an improvement
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 5th, 2011
1:43 pm
Go look at what Ryne Sandberg, Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio all did after ther 33 birthday. In the short term it is a great signing, but with an ownership group that has proven that it has a salary cap it is a bad move long term.
Also Prado in LF does not help any offensively. The corner spots are traditionally your power spots in the OF. Prado would have been better served to stay at 2B and the Braves look to aquire a Power bat if they where looking for 20 homers and a .275 avg.
Jason Heyward is the future 3-4 hitter, not a slugging 2B who is going to make 13 million at the age of 35. Again go research the stats of Sandberg, Morgan and Biggio past the age of 33. The numbers do not lie.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 5th, 2011
1:46 pm
Noticed someone put Alomar in a blog, feel free to look at those stats. The Braves are going to be on the hook some some serious cash on the backend of a aging career. Apparently nothing was learned from the Chipper Jones extension.
kgb
January 5th, 2011
1:48 pm
The Braves were clear in their need and desire to add a rh power bat to help balance their heavy lefty lineup. I think we can all agree on that need.
So let’s go thru the list of available of available or possiblly available rh power bats this year.
Pujols – OK not gonna happen but he is at the end of his contract
Werth – his contract with the Nat’s is a joke – so not an option
Uggla – nice trade without giving too much
all the rest – don’t really deserve discussion as they are either woefully inconsistent or have serious offensive shortcomings.
So please name a player that could come anywhere close to Uggla’s production over the last five years that the Braves could have had either thru FA or thru a trade (giving up no more than the players they did). Anyone?
The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.
Dorothy Davis
January 5th, 2011
1:49 pm
Unlike the Marlins Stadium (empty) Turner Field will certainly let Uggla know if he is not performing up to standards. You will hear the Boo Boo birds letting him know he is a Brave now and must perform like one for that salary! Could have spent that money for a good hitting outfielder and left Prado at second base, Who incidently could give Uggla lessons there.