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
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
344 comments Add your comment
no Mark you don't get it.
January 5th, 2011
1:49 pm
If you would have cared more about your on home team you could have have put a more planned and thoughtful article for fans to read. The first thing that jumps out at me is the lack of research you have done. Yes the offensive numbers are sexy, his defense is not as bad as you think. All you have done is jump on a band wagon. If you would so kindly look at Uggla’s splits he is actually a plus defender away from the horrible conditions at Florida stadium
nique
January 5th, 2011
1:50 pm
Mark, any chance Uggla would be willing to switch positions with Prado if he plays poor D at 2b?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 5th, 2011
1:52 pm
Nothing wrong with the trade, my issue is in giving him the extension. In this post steroid era, no player past the age of 32 unless he is a Pujols type would get a 5 year extension at that kinda money if your a team with an ownership group who is unwilling to budge over a 85million dollar payroll.
Fols
January 5th, 2011
1:52 pm
You guys are reading into this too much. Media has to write this. If something good happens, media needs to touch on the bad. This way they have their bases covered and can say “I TOLD YA SO”.
It’s no different than a big game. One team HAS TO LOSE. It’s a given, there will be a loser. Yet the media treat it like it’s the end of the world.
You can’t please them, they sit around and ponder thoughts on what to write. It’s easier to spark interest writing the negative. This is why in todays sports, the media even find ways to write about how ugly the wins are. We can’t please them with a win, it’s the end of the world when they lose, so what makes you think signing free agents is any different. In the media’s eye……..it’s never good enough. Just like when you read through the season’s blog comments, you’d think everyone was suicidal in here.
Jaime
January 5th, 2011
1:52 pm
As a resident of NW Florida, I get the “pleasure” of seeing every game the Marlins play (I don’t get to see the Braves unless they play the Marlins, Rays, Cubs, or on ESPN: Radio for me mostly). Uggla’s defense is nowhere near as bad as the national media makes it out to be. Is he Ozzie Smith? No, but that putrid display in that All-Star game has left him with the image that we could run anyone out there and be better at 2b. His offensive production far outweighs the couple of defensive runs he’ll be responsible for.
And, hey, that negative reputation his defense gets may have lowered his price a little bit.
Bartman-n-Orl
January 5th, 2011
1:59 pm
Way to write just for the controversy of it Mark. That was week. You don’t think ALL things were considered before this trade and signing were done? or do you think Frank and Co are going,”OH, we didn’t think about that”? I’m sure you know much better than they do as to how to evaluate talent to $$$’s. Let it play out before you critique it. Besides, you only said what was wrong with it. In all your brilliance, you didn’t say what was the best or right thing to do.
Great trade! Great signing!
bjohndawg
January 5th, 2011
1:59 pm
Offensive needs had to be addressed. The defense was not that bad, except some critical times in playoffs. What they needed all season was more offense. This addresses that need. And hope that someone can teach him to glove.
Bartman-n-Orl
January 5th, 2011
2:00 pm
weak….in a hurry.
tdmorgan
January 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
lowcountry…you are putting players in defined roles…i understand about the trend that towards the end of the contract we should not expect what we expect at the beginning, thats a given. almost all free agent/extensions for players in their prime or towards the end of their prime mean that you are going to be paying for decline years, it just works that way. anyways, essentially what you are saying is that if we put Uggla in LF and Prado at 2B you are satisfied because it fits nicely into your box…well Wren doesn’t think inside of your box. Prado knows how to play LF and will do it just fine, Uggla knows how to play 2B and will do it just fine. you also have to assume that Prado will be playing 3B a decent bit this year which means for those of you who want to put Uggla in LF and Prado at 2B then we are going to have to pull a double move putting Prado at 3B, Uggla at 2B and someone else in LF…it makes much more sense to just play Prado in LF, Uggla at 2B and when Chipper gets hurt (although hoping, not expecting that he can play a majority of the season) then all you have to do is put someone in LF. Our OF options look much better than our IF options if we have to replace someone. plus, there is the potential that Mather plays well enough that we don’t have to move Prado and just stick Mather at 3B, either way we have a ton of options because of the flexibility that Prado provides without an attitude.
Thinker
January 5th, 2011
2:11 pm
Yo, MB. I think you touched a nerve, huh.
JInx Master
January 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
Another horrible article! Infield defense cost the Braves in the post season this season, Uggla is more than capable on defense & brings pop to the line-up. You can always find cheap defensive players, as this off season proved you cannot find good hitters easily. You writers & bloggers complain about everything about the Braves, Fredi just needs to get some production from some those underachievers in the lineup.
Cool Dude
January 5th, 2011
2:15 pm
I think Mark Bradley is a massive douche.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 5th, 2011
2:18 pm
tdmorgan,
I actually agree with everything you mention. It is not a issue of this season, nor even next. It is a longterm philosophical difference I have. I do not like have 35-36 year old player who are making 12 million a year who provide power only. In this post steroid era I think you can look at historical evidence and tell that 2B do not perform well over the age of 34. My opinon, simple as that. I would not have signed him longterm. Nice trade, bad extension.
SGD
January 5th, 2011
2:21 pm
MB, You are one of the most negative individuals I have never met. I’m wondering what would have to transpire in order for you to say something positive about Georgia teams, Braves-Falcons-Dogs-etc. Every once in a blue moon you will slip up and say something positive but not very often. In my opinion you need to find a job somewhere other than Atlanta and bash those teams for a while.
bry22
January 5th, 2011
2:25 pm
Mark-
Do you try really really hard to see how stupid you can be? You might want to try writing on the weather instead of sports! Idiot!
JInx Master
January 5th, 2011
2:36 pm
No wonder it’s hard to drum up support for these ATL teams, with all the great articles written in they’re hometown paper. Oh yeah guaranteeing Division titles & SuperBowl victories do not count, its either bottom of the barrel or day-dreaming with you Bradley. How about some positive, subjective articles that actually informs & motivates the fan base??????
Mike
January 5th, 2011
2:44 pm
Just what was Wren to do. Give the guy a break. We complain about a lack of hitting so he gets a quality player. You know it is part of a broader plan. What would you say if he had not signed Uggla to a long term contract. I bet your argument would have been just the opposite of this “defense” approach. Give the guy a break.
jed
January 5th, 2011
2:47 pm
is this so difficult? now that you’ve signed uggla, move him to LF.
Jim H.
January 5th, 2011
2:48 pm
Just moved him to left field….problem solved
Judy
January 5th, 2011
3:01 pm
I am a long time Braves fan and supporter of Wren and will continue to be a Braves fan, however, I do not like the long term signing of Uggla. For the most part through the years pitching and defense win championships (look at Giants last year no homerun hitter). The Braves have a very good pitching staff and now a below average MLB defensive team. Uggla is a 30 homerun a year hitter, but his defense is below average MLB average. It’s not the errors that hurt but lack of range that turns outs into singles. Uggla’s defense is only going to decline each year.
Pitching , defense and speed will consistenly win games. We have the pitching should have spent $62M on defense and speed. One women’s opinion, I will continue to support Braves
Rocky
January 5th, 2011
3:01 pm
I think braves management know what their doing.This really isn’t that bad since there are big contracts coming off the books in the future and won’t affect their future:
N. Mclouth: 6.5mil after 2011 season
A. Gonzalez: 2.5mil after 2011 season
S. Linebrink: 5mil after 2011 season
P. Moylan: 1.15mil after 2011 season
G. Sherrill: 1.2mil after 2011 season
S. Proctor: 750K after 2011 season
K. Kawakami: 6.667mil after 2011 season
That’s 23.767mil coming off the books after this season. The braves have the arms to replace the pitchers coming off the books.
That’s 23.767mil to replace the hitting through free agency. They could hold onto to this money and wait for 2012 season and see bottom.
D. Lowe: 15mil after 2012 season
C. Jones: 13mil after 2012 season
T. Hudson: 9mil after 2012 season
E. Hinske: 1.5mil after 2012 season
D. Ross: 1.625mil after 2012 season
and an additional 40.125mil coming off the books after the 2012 season. A total of 63.892mil coming off the books over the next two seasons.
With young pitching prospects to take over the rotation spots of Hudson and Lowe at inexpensive prices.
If the braves go on the cheap route in after 2011 season and hold onto a bulk of the 23.767mil of cap space and wait until after the 2012 season is complete then they could be major players in free agency when their will be a potential stockload of free agent hitters, especailly outfielders.
Free agents 2012/2013 braves can target:
Outfielders:
Josh Hamilton
BJ Upton
Andre Ethier
Matt Kemp
Potential Third base replacement for Chipper Jones:
David Wright
Top Pitching Prospects braves could go after also:
Zack Grienke
Matt Cain
I think 2012 could be a big free agency period for the braves. Say they add David Wright and BJ Upton. Look at their Potential Lineup for 2012.
Starting Rotation:
1-Tommy Hanson
2-Jair Jurrgens
3-Mike Minor
4-Julio Teheran
5-Arodys Vizcaino
1-CF-BJ Upton
2-3B-David Wright
3-LF-Martin Prado
4-2B-Dan Uggla
5-C-Brian McCann
6-RF-Jason Heyward
7-1B-Freddie Freeman
8-SS-Matt Lipka(braves 1st round pick in 2010)
9-Pitcher
That sets the braves up for years to come. With great hitting and pitching.
stew
January 5th, 2011
3:13 pm
MB – you’re an idiot. Uggla is the right handed bat we need so that we won’t be so vulnerable to left handed pitching. Now, if we sign and play Andruw we’ll have a pretty balanced lineup. Andruw, Prado, Gonzo and Uggla from the right side. J-Hey, Mac, and Freddie from the left side. Chip, of course, goes both ways. Even if we platoon Andruw and McLoser we’re balanced. Also, ship Lowe to the best little whorehouse in NYC and we’d be ahead 21/2 million. I’ll go with Huddy/Tommy/Jair/Minor/Beachy until one of them gets injured or doesn’t pan out with Julio and Randall waiting in the wings.
Mazeroski
January 5th, 2011
3:16 pm
FACT: Dan Uggla makes one error for 10.5 games played during his major league career at second base.
FACT: New Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar made one error for every 15.7 games played during his major league career at second base.
FACT: Dan Uggla has driven in 465 runs during his first five seasons in the Majors.
FACT: Roberto Alomar drove in 302 runs during his first five seasons in the Majors.
Have Uggla’s errors cost the Marlins more than 163 runs during his first five seasons?
Plus, Mike Hampton wasn’t available!
Lucas
January 5th, 2011
3:22 pm
Funny thing about this article is that Uggla is better defensively at 2nd base than Martin Prado according to all defensive metrics. We shouldn’t rate Uggla’s defense based that all-star game appearence.
coo coo bird fan
January 5th, 2011
3:26 pm
Sorry but this is a non issue, sounds like someone wanted to stir the pot in there column this morning. Uggla is a great hitter and has awesome range at second base. Most of his errors came from attempting spectacular plays not from going between his legs. Yes, he had a Conrad like debacle in the all star game a couple of years back but he obviously is worth the money that the market dictates. Prado is our 3rd baseman of the future, left is just a rental. We’ll be fine folks, and will go as far as our starting pitching will take us, but we already knew that. 3 fifteen game winners next year- Hudson, Jurrjens, and Hanson w/ two more w/ atleast 10 Minor and Lowe and we are contenders again. Go Braves.
Smiling Jack
January 5th, 2011
3:28 pm
Welcome back Sonny Clusters! I’ve missed you….It has been a too long Dairy Queen break. Clusters is better than any AJC writer. Great trade for Uggla and great contract for all concerned. Braves will contend and have a great chance to take it to the World Series! Spring is just around the corner. You’ll see.
Chris
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
A 30+ HR, 100 RBI guy in this baseball economy for about 12.5 million a year? That is a steal. He doesn’t have a glove? That’s fine, if he did he would be worth 17-20 million.
KB
January 5th, 2011
3:38 pm
Hey Mark –
HOF voting just announced. McGriff fell from 21% to 17%. Let’s start pounding the drum for this guy! The Atlanta sportswriters need to get on the campaign for his candidacy!
Maddben7
January 5th, 2011
3:42 pm
Okay first off 5y/62mil does not beat 7y/85mil. So no Uggla is not getting payed 15 mil a year like Utley. Second lets see how well Uggla plays with a SS he can trust to do his job. History suggests that if the SS and 2B are at odds then you’ll be weak up the middle. I doubt Gonzalez has the ego problems that Hanley has. Remember the Red Sox unloaded the guy for a reason besides picking up pitching.
hangman
January 5th, 2011
3:43 pm
MB, you just like to stir up trouble. You’ve got a new player to bad mouth and he hasn’t even played one game. Why don’t you take the slick hair, snake oil salesman DOB and go out to a bar. Have a few beers, hold hands and who knows what the two of you might think about doing.
GIVE US A BREAK!
Mike D
January 5th, 2011
3:44 pm
Prado had 11 errors last year (6 at 2nd base and 5 at 3rd base), while Uggla only had 7 more, and that was a few above his average.
While Prado is a tremendous fielder, you might not find a better player with the balance that Uggla has between being a pretty good fielder and a consistent power hitter in the middle of the line-up (excluding Utley).
Like we saw last year in the postseason, we kept having to rely on McCann to bring guys home. If Chipper is healthy, we will have 3 guys to rely on instead of 1, taking the pressure off of Heyward and Prado to do the same.
Blair
January 5th, 2011
3:46 pm
Mr. Bradley, the argument has certainly been made. But I’m not sure he’s worse then Kelly Johnson. In some ways they seem very similar. Uggla struggles going to the backhand, just like Kelly Johnson did. And let me tell you, I’d take Kelly Johnson defense if I could 100 RBI and 30 bombs. I’d take that production at 12.4 million over 5 years. I may not get that the last year or two of the contract… But I think Uggla will age well over his career. He’s got tremendous bat speed.
Blair
January 5th, 2011
3:49 pm
You also have to consider the lack of right-handed options in the Braves system. Basically, we have no right-handed pop in the minors. Right-handed power bats are at premium right now, and that makes it even more important that Uggla was resigned. To be honest, I love the team sans McLouth. If he has a bounce back year, which I think is unlikely, then this team will contend with those Phillies for the NL pennant.
Dave W.
January 5th, 2011
3:49 pm
Here’s the difference between journalism and blogging: A journalist would have identified a better way to spend the FA dollars. A blogger just finds an angle (a petty one in this instance) to create buzz and talk, no matter how trivial the angle is. “There are better ways to spend $62 Million”. Really? Why don’t you do some “research” and give us an example or two. All I can see is that the braves are desperate for a right handed bat and for 12.4MM a year (not absurd in this FA market of proven hitters after seeing what Werth got), got a guy who has hit extremely well for a division rival. This isn’t a case of a guy going from AL to NL and the buyer having to guess if he’ll perform in the new league/park/etc… You get a grade of U not for unsatisfactory, but for unbearable
Michael
January 5th, 2011
4:01 pm
Remember that Career Builder commericial about the guy working with a bunch of monkeys? That has to be how Mark Bradley’s co-workers feel. He is such a hack! His stories make you appreciate the national media who have a much greater understanding of sports than Mark Bradley could ever hope to have.
O'flarity's water bottle
January 5th, 2011
4:22 pm
Mark Bradley
January 5th, 2011
9:31 am
And before anyone says anything: If Uggla drives in two runs a game, he’ll finish with 324 RBIs, which would be a record by some distance. That part was an intentional exaggeration.
Dont hex the stuation mark! If he gets 324 RBI’s then the contract exstention would be great! ;-p
Doug Markham
January 5th, 2011
4:27 pm
Mark– You are a bit bored, I see. This is an excellent deal for the Braves. All baseball players make too much money (all athletes period), but as professional sports go this is going to make watching the Braves more enjoyable.
Stanley Crowe
January 5th, 2011
4:28 pm
Let’s see the guy play! A very good bat, and an OK fielder, I think. He compares well with Werth in offensive production over time. I used to hate it when we had to face him, so I’m happy that the shoe is on the other foot now (or the shoe is on OUR foot? forget that metaphor!). Also, he seems historically to have hit well at Turner Field. Can’t wait for the season . . .
Mldtown
January 5th, 2011
4:43 pm
I know one thing: It was UNBELIEVABLE how anemic the Braves offence was last fall.
Sure, the pitching was great for the Giants.
But they won because they SCORED. On Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels and Lee no less.
Remember Cody Ross, Juan Uribe, B Posey, E. Renteria?
bulldogbyrd75
January 5th, 2011
4:45 pm
Just a reminder that there are no perfect players! Will Uggla be a Gold Glover….nope. Will he boost the Braves offense….absolutely! I’m glad he will be a Brave for the next few years!
Bartman-n-Orl
January 5th, 2011
4:49 pm
A lot of posts for MB to respond to. But nothing but silence. More proof that he was just posting somethingjust to be contreversial and get us all barking. Must be an AJC requirement. But compared to the writers in my town at the Orlando Slantinal, he is gold! Oh well, we have what or who we have.
Murphy for Hall of Fame!
Trey
January 5th, 2011
4:51 pm
Mark, I agree that the Braves went steep on the Uggla’s extension. $62,000,000 is pretty expensive for anyone. That money could have bought a decent Center Fielder, but; the Braves are going to rely on McLouth. However, do you think that they could have maybe tried to offer a little less to catch him? Hey, I guess we shall see!
Bravesfan79
January 5th, 2011
4:58 pm
I like the move of signing Dan, but i also like the idea of sending him to left field and giving Prado 2nd base. If he cares about whats best for the team in the playoffs, he will make the switch at some point.
Fan
January 5th, 2011
5:26 pm
So, if Prado is a better second baseman and we are only interested in Uggla’s bat why not play Prado at second and Uggla in left field? That should work. He won’t degrade our outfield.
bvillebaron
January 5th, 2011
5:26 pm
While Uggla is clearly not a great fielder, he is not as bad as you claim Mark. Interestingly, his fielding percentage is almost identical to that of Infante when Infante was playing as a second baseman. Besides no one could be as bad as Conrad was in last year’s playoffs.
Tomahawk
January 5th, 2011
5:27 pm
It may not be as bad as you think in the long-term (provided Uggla doesn’t regress drastically at the plate). Consider these points:
Chipper’s retiring soon, so we’ll have an opening at third base. When he does, we will need a solid defender at that position. Freeman is a solid defender and could probably handle third. He actually started his career in the minors at the position. Uggla has very little mobility. First base does not require a player to be overly mobile. Move Uggla to first. Prado could shift back to second. Yes, you can say that we don’t know how each player would handle shifting positions, but by that same logic you can’t automatically say they’d do a terrible job. My guess is that the front office has thought this through already.
With that said, I’ll still be keeping my fingers crossed that we don’t have another Lowe-sized burden on the team for the next half-decade.
DS1
January 5th, 2011
5:36 pm
Mark,
About 40+ years ago, I was complaining about something at work. My boss told me that unless I had a better suggestion, that I should just shut the heck up and go back to work.
So what would you do different??? Don’t just complain, give us your alternative.
Now, a lot can happen. First, Uggla isn’t the albatross some would have you believe. Second, just because he is playing second today, doesn’t mean he will be there in 2 years. Third, Prado has softer hands, but doesn’t turn two as well as Uggla. Also, Prado’s range is also limited at second. He will be a good third sacker someday if he can learn to come in on dribblers.
DS1
January 5th, 2011
5:40 pm
Tomahawk
I seriously doubt Freeman will move to third base. Prado will replace Chipper, unless Uggla is found to be a diamond in the rough at third.
DS1
January 5th, 2011
5:41 pm
Gonna head over to DOB’s blog, as Mark rarely comes back to his blogs after a while.
Brave
January 5th, 2011
5:45 pm
Mark Bradley, you are no sports writer so why don’t you quit trying to pass yourself off as one. Please move to
another section of the AJC.