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
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
January 5th, 2011
5:46 pm
Ditto that Mark Bradley!
Pitching, defense, power and speed is how the game of baseball is played, period.
Our Braves have the pitching and power down pat. However, they project to be a terrible defensive team with no running game to speak of.
As for Frank Wren… he’s done a good job of building a competitive team from year to year, but his payroll accounting needs work. Chipper hasn’t been worth the money, neither has Kawakami or Derek Lowe. The same can be said for Dan Uggla now and in the future.
Tomahawk
January 5th, 2011
5:54 pm
DS1
I don’t disagree that Freeman probably wouldn’t move to third, just pointing out to Mark that the sky isn’t falling just yet. The team has options. To play devil’s advocate in regards to your comment, if Freeman can handle third, then the overall infield defense would be better if Uggla wasn’t still at second.
Rocky
January 5th, 2011
5:55 pm
Do you see what I’m talking about? I think the braves are targeting free agency after the 2012 season.
Being a writer is a vacation!
January 5th, 2011
6:04 pm
Mark – I actually agree with your point of view! Uggla led 2nd basement in errors last year which doesn’t seem to bode well for playoff winning teams. Juan Uribe was available for less money and has post season success under his belt.
I never wonder why the Braves are the easiest ticket in town!
Joey M
January 5th, 2011
6:11 pm
Sorry, I can’t get on board with you on this. Uggla is not going to win a GG award, but he will be a better defender in The Ted than he was in Joe Robbie. (or whatever they call that place now) We have a better field, more consistent pitching, and he doesn’t have to be the focal piece. The right side will have Freeman, Uggla, and Heyward. Left side will have Gonzalez, Jones (hope) and Prado. McLouth is a bigger risk than Uggla as far as fielding goes. If Nate loses his confidence at the plate, his fielding will suffer too. I am hoping Schaffer comes back healthy. Uggla’s thing is he makes the great plays, he just tends to lull on the routine plays. Pendleton is our new 1st base coach. He will work tirelessly with Uggla on his footwork and glove work. Overall, Danny U makes us a better team. He will give excellent protection for McCann and Heyward will get plenty of at bats loaded with fastballs. And also, remember that a lot of throwing errors will be negated by Freeman’s glove at 1st. Yes, this is a great move.
Nick P.
January 5th, 2011
6:40 pm
mark you are about as dead wrong on this as one can be! with our awful defense last year we made the playoffs, if it was not for bobby retiring we would not have, that was the teams catalyst for making the playoffs, everyone and their mother knows thta Braves lack an offensive punch, pitchingis great, and personally, i dont think prade or Infante were all that better at second base either, Uggla is definitely a step up in offense, and just as good on defense!
Nick P.
January 5th, 2011
6:42 pm
if werth at his age get the type of money he got, then the uggla deal is even better for the braves!
Steve
January 5th, 2011
6:45 pm
Mr Bradley .. here’s a basic fundamental of baseball: Pitching and Defense don’t win games. RUNS DO! You must score more runs than the opposing team. If you have a good offense, average defense and a good staff, you’re probably going to win a ton of games. Sure, if you have excellent defense to compliment those you’ll be even better, but do you really think we can afford to have EVERYTHING?
The bottom line here is Chipper is retiring soon. The main power threats in our lineup (without Chip) are Heyward, McCann and Gonzalez. Prado may reach that level too, however now that we’ve added Uggla, we have a mainstay which looks to be a steady source of offense for a long time. Sure, he’s about to be 31. What’s the big deal? Do you really think it’s going to make THAT big of a difference? He projects by all accounts to stay steady for a long time barring injury.
We are poised to win for ears to come. Why fret over $62 mil? Chipper is out the door soon, so we will have the cash. Plus this guy could end up being one of the best second basemen to ever play the game offensively. He’s stayed steady for five solid years. What the heck makes you think he won’t stay steady for five more? Maybe he’ll have a down year or two, but I don’t foresee a major drop-off until he’s 37-38.
Steve
January 5th, 2011
6:49 pm
BTW .. he’s not that bad defensively. I’ve seen him play, and if you watch the games so have you. He’ll give up an out here and there however he turns a good DP and he doesn’t really have rocks for hands. He is a LOT better than Conrad with the glove, BTW. I just don’t see the concern. He has never shown me that he is a horrible defender. You sir, are exasperating.
Steve
January 5th, 2011
6:50 pm
Dang auto-spell checker … lol … exaggerating.
david
January 5th, 2011
7:03 pm
I see your point. But it’s a gamble no matter who the Braves signed to fill their offensive void, and I think we all agree they had to fill it somehow. True, Uggla’s not the most surehanded of fielders, but he’s not terrible by any means. If he plays average D and hits 25-30 hrs over the next 5 yrs everyone will applaud. If he hits .240 and leads the league in errors, then you’ll be able to say I told you so.
Road Dog
January 5th, 2011
8:41 pm
How I miss Furman Bisher of the AJC. He could actually think and write at the same time! Intertwine a few life moments into his sports’ reports. A little home spun philosophy sprinkled in for the philosophers amonst us! Bradley, you sir, are no Furman Bisher.
Bigwheel
January 5th, 2011
8:49 pm
Bradley, The infield at sunjoerobbieproshark stadium is horrible, and its not even close. Ugglas D will improve more than you think. His bat outweighs his defense
jorge's moondogs
January 5th, 2011
8:54 pm
that’s why bradley is a writer and not a baseball man. uggla’s defense takes a beating because of one game. to say the Giants won the series because of defense is a farce. burrell, uribe, renteria, sandoval and huff, gold glovers they are not. stick it bradley. great move by the braves.
vankalen
January 5th, 2011
9:08 pm
what right handed power bat would you have signed mark? tell us how you really feel
Mr. Matt
January 5th, 2011
9:41 pm
Mark, I always enjoy your work, but… This read like it was written by my ex-wife. It sounds like you might be burned on out covering the Braves or something? I don’t know?
Sit back, relax and enjoy being a Braves fan.
Bang for your buck – the Braves made the best move of the off season, THE best move. We have much to be excited about! Stop sounding like a woman and write something sweet about the falcons.
Go Braves!
Grant
January 5th, 2011
9:50 pm
Are you kidding me Bradley????? You do nothing but complain about the Braves needing a bat. They get a 30 homer guy for that cheap. Don’t write about the Braves anymore let O’Brien do it. He is the one who actually knows what he is talking about.
JC from DR!
January 5th, 2011
9:54 pm
Just a little over a day has passed since the contract extension was announced, and there’s already negative stuff being written about it. WOW… just.. wow.
Tomas
January 5th, 2011
9:58 pm
I know Uggla’s defense has a bad rep, but I gotta tell you I don’t think he is that bad…….1.4 UZR on the road not great but good.
Mitchell
January 5th, 2011
10:43 pm
All we have to do is show this to Uggs and make sure he knows what Mark Bradley thinks of him.
His defense will magically improve as a result.
Believe it.
Here’s what matters. Winning a World Series. The Braves can do it. The defense is definitely a problem and still an issue but hey, they couldn’t score runs after the 7th inning at home in ‘09 and all of sudden they couldn’t stop doing it in 2010.
They need to show they can win in the playoffs again. They have a new manager and his name isn’t Bobby Cox. That’s a good thing.
Just win a World Series within the next five years with Dan Uggla and it will be worth it.
Zack
January 5th, 2011
11:27 pm
MB- I couldn’t disagree with you more…Braves had almost no power at all from the right side last year (Prado isn’t a HR hitter). 30 HR at a prime position is super rare and very valuable…and we’re only paying him 12M (on avg) a year. Yes, his defense may not be great, but he’s not terrible at all. Have you seen him play (excluding All Star Game a couple of years ago)? Prado’s defense at third is just as good as his defense at second, and once chipper retires, Prado’ll move back to the hot corner. What would you rather than 62M on?
Boatdoc
January 5th, 2011
11:32 pm
Mr. Bradley – your article mentions no method for comparing players taking into account both their offensive and defensive abilities.
*‘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’*
But we DO have a statistical tool for evaluating the value of players: Wins Above Replacement (which estimates extra games won or lost if the player were instead replaced with a bench or minor league player.) WAR accounts for all aspects of the player: hitting – both for average and power, defense, baserunning.
You correctly state that Martin Prado is a better defensive second baseman than Uggla. But the most important question about Dan Uggla is “is his defense so bad that his offense can’t justify giving him this contract?”
The answer may be in WAR:
Prado 2.7
Uggla 3.7
Martin absolutely earned his All-Star selection and 9th place in MVP voting. But the WAR predicts that with the rest of the lineup the same that a team would win one extra game per year with Dan Uggla than with Martin Prado.
I’ll be glad to see BOTH of them in our line-up. The biggest question for the 2011 Atlanta Braves is not Uggla’s defense. Center Field and Chipper Jones’ health are larger questions marks. I also don’t see much discussion about the assumption that Freddie Freeman (who has hit .167 in a major league career spanning, to date, 24 at-bats) will immediately be a productive ML player, or that the Braves will find adequate replacement for Billy Wagner.
BravesfaninNashville
January 5th, 2011
11:44 pm
Mark, If your objective when you write articles like this is to simply get a reaction out of people by stirring things up then mission accomplished. If you really believe that the Braves had a better option given this years FA market and trade partners that publicly stated it would take overwhelming offers to pry Justin Upton, or Rasmus away then I completely disagree. It personally believe that if the Braves hadn’t traded for a right handed power bat by now you’d be writing a negative article about how they have ignored an obvious glaring need. I think Frank Wren has put this team in a position to win the wild card rather handily and until the Phillies signed Cliff Lee I would have put them neck and neck with Philadelphia. I for one don’t enjoy your mostly negative view on things. I think this is one of the best years to be a Braves fan in a long time and I expect great things out of the Braves this year.
BravesfaninNashville
January 5th, 2011
11:57 pm
Frank Wren traded a utility player and the third best left handed pitcher remaining out of our bullpen. If you count Wagner from last year Dunn was our fourth best LH reliever. He kept all of our premium coveted minor league pitching as well as Minor and Beachy and he got more predictable production from the right side of the plate than Jason Werth for half the money Washington had to commit to also “sign a player that had yet to play a single game for them”. Ridiculous comment IMO as that is what every single team does that signs a Free Agent away from another team. I guess Boston is crazy to have signed Carl Crawford as he has yet to play a single game for them? Huh???
The Braves single biggest risk right now is whether they’ll get production/playing time or DL time from Chipper. If he’s healthy he’ll help this team a lot. If he’s not he’ll cost us very expensive dollars that could have been put to great use if he had retired. I see signing Uggla as very smart and given the relative market this year a steal in terms of Free Agent dollars spent by other teams to get similar performance.
Lou Vales
January 6th, 2011
12:02 am
Dear Mark, You would be much better served trying to get Georgia to rid themselves of the Botoxed Beach Boy from Boca. Do you believe that ability to run a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Meeting should be a criteria for coaching at Georgia. I understand that the Reverand Mark learned from St. Robert but this should not be about missionairy positions in Ethiopia. The workdoes is commendable,however, when you are being paid millions to coach football, your level of missionairy zeal should not determine how long you stay as coach.
As far as Uggla, you will soon understand why many new baseball fans think Dan’s first name is “justoutofthereachofadiving.”He has the range of Jamie Dukes on an elliptical.
MitchC
January 6th, 2011
12:16 am
Mark, what you’re forgetting is this:
1991 was a different time in baseball completely. Teams could win divisions by hitting 250 as a team, with `130 odd homers. As I recall, the 1992 Braves hit 138 homers, and led the league.
Additionally, those Braves teams had two Hall of Famers named Smoltz and Glavine to trot out every five days. They could win games 2-1 and 1-0. I’m not saying the Braves cant do that now. All I’m saying is… the current rotation of “Ace 4 plus ERA Lowe”, and company, need power behind them to win.
This team needed a hitter. Chipper is done, or close to it. Mccann is our true power hitter. I hope JHey doesnt have a soph slump, but.. we all know what can happen in second years.
The Braves had to make a decision, and they made it. We can’t say we need a power hitter, which was the primary focus of the Braves offseason needs, and then refuse to pay him. We also didn’t want another Tex situation, where we gave up so much, and had Tex for only one season.
31 isn’t “old”. Uggla might well have five very productive years left. Even if he averages.. 25 homers.. and 90 RBI’s.. this is still a good deal.
I’m sorry.. but I don’t agree with you. The Braves did what they had to do, in my view.
MitchC
January 6th, 2011
12:18 am
What I meant to say was.. Mccann was the only real power hitter we had before we got Uggla. Just wanted to clarify that.
MitchC
January 6th, 2011
12:26 am
One other thing: Look at the potential numbers.
Money wise.. 62 mil over five years is less than 12 and a half million a year. Thats a lot of money.. but.. think of what a guy who can hit 25 or 30 homers, and drive in 90 or 100 runs, would make in.. New York.. or Philly. Although 12 plus mil a year is a lot of money to.. the Braves.. many teams would consider such a contract a bargain, especially when you see guys with similar numbers making 15, 20, 25, 30 mil a year.
We all know this team’s payroll constrictions.. but.., considering the fact that we needed a power hitter, and the real dollars involved, as opposed to what Uggla might have cost another team.. this isn’t an outrageous or unwise outlay of money.
Kramer
January 6th, 2011
6:14 am
I know this is supposed to be a negative article in order to get some clicks, but bleeeeehhhhh. Uggla is a great fit.
Tiger kicking Duck
January 6th, 2011
6:31 am
Agree 100%— they also need LHSP! (see phills lineup)
Lowe will look good in a Texas Uni!
fieldofdreams
January 6th, 2011
7:20 am
I suppose you have to spin this badly to illicit response of some sort. With “Danny U-boat” patrolling second, and torpedoing missiles into the left field stands, the Braves can contend for the East.
ramblingman
January 6th, 2011
7:32 am
For those of you who are complaining that you would not have given him that many years or that much money…consider the following. Unless you have mental powers to force his hand to sign his name, he was not going to sign for less years or less money. That leaves the choice between losing him after a year or signing him to this contract.
So be honest and come right out and proclaim that you would much rather lose Uggla after a year rather than sign him to a contract that is not bad considering the market.
I did not think so.
As for Bradley, I would not worry too much over what he writes. Don’t get too upset, people. It’s not like he has a record of not being wrong. As many have said, his aim was to provoke debate. Mission accomplished.
papadawg
January 6th, 2011
8:05 am
All I can say is we’re better in the outfield & second base than we were this time last year
John
January 6th, 2011
8:21 am
Mark, you are so negative about Atlanta teams. Why don’t you move to Cleveland where you would fit in nicely?
the big bone
January 6th, 2011
8:45 am
Mark i think you are over doing this he is a major league ball player. looking at his record with flordia it tells me he is a average glove with an above average bat. think this lineup 1.mclouth2.prado3.jones4.uggla5.bmac.6.heyword7.freeman8.whocares the braves will be better this year rotation stays healthy 90 win season..
raleighbravefan
January 6th, 2011
8:56 am
Mark, I realize that you have to write something negative just to “stir the pot”. It reminds me of some of the posters on the “real” Braves blog, who say outrageous things just to get a reaction. However, you remind me of a lot of politicians, who make crazy/unfounded/ unrealistic statements. My challenge to you, which I’m sure will not get an answer, is to give us specifics of what moves (name possible players) that would constitute better “use” of the money. Make your case instead of just throwing out a questionable idea with no appearant basis.
davidingeorgia
January 6th, 2011
9:00 am
Uggla is better defensively than given credit for.
Prado will play 75% or more of the season at 3b once Chipper pulls a hammy or gets a hangnail at Hooter’s.
Mark Bradley is still as clueless as he’s been since joining the AJC. Did the Braves pay Uggla too much for too long? Sure. Every major league team does these days. The question Bradley avoided answering is what better option the Braves could have taken to improve the team as much as adding Uggla’s bat will. Of course, that would require Bradley actually have a clue about what that “better option” might be so he chose to go the easy, lazy route and just gripe about the money. And apparently couldn’t be bothered to proofread this sorry excuse for a column either.
What does the AJC pay you, Mr. Bradley? I suspect you’re more overpaid given what you produce than Uggla will be.
justin1
January 6th, 2011
9:22 am
Uggla will have warning track power at best within 2 years. Bad move. Hitting 30 HRs a year for a right handed pull hitter at sunlife doesnt impress me too much. If he was puttin out 40-45 it would be more promising. His numbers are not going to get better hitting in a bigger, less hitter friendly park. I predict a 25 HR year from him in 2011 and by 2015, less than 15..
DAP
January 6th, 2011
9:26 am
better ways to spend $62mil? like what? i think the defense thing is being a little overblown by this article. its not like the braves signed jim thome to play 2nd base.
DAP
January 6th, 2011
9:30 am
justin1 His numbers are not going to get better hitting in a bigger, less hitter friendly park.
um…justin…the marlins stadium is longer down the left field line and exactly the same in left center. the heavy air in miami probably also makes it hard to hit HR out of there. you are way off here.
raleighbravefan
January 6th, 2011
9:36 am
Amazing the number of hand-wringers who have cried for years for a power hitter. Now we have one, and some people are complaining. Perhaps they just like to complain.
justin1
January 6th, 2011
9:53 am
Well either way, I read an article breaking down his power stats. It was scary. His average homer distance was like 410 and have steadily declined. I want to say his avg. homer distance this past year, granted it was his best offensive year of his career, was less than 400. Scary.
You have to admit that 30HRs is nice, but not impressive enough to grant a 5 yr salary through his, what will be, his final years of career. If he was hitting, like I said around 40 per year, then it would be fair to expect at least 30 bombs a year thru his years with Atlanta. Were signing him purely for his power, and honestly, he doesnt have scary power that will last for 5 more years.
2011- 27 HRs
2012- 29 HRs
2013- 22 Hrs
2014- 12 Hrs
2015- 11 Hrs
raleighbravefan
January 6th, 2011
9:56 am
justin – Do you also predict what stocks will be worth in 4-5 years?
Boombrave83
January 6th, 2011
10:04 am
yeh justin…..not to mention its uh…..434 in dead center down in miami….where as its 400 at the Ted. what the crap are you talkin about son?
Boombrave83
January 6th, 2011
10:06 am
justin1…..you realize that if he averages 410 per homer in atlanta, that clears the deepest part of turner field by 10 ft. and guess what….even if he hits it 401, it still counts as a homer
ramblingman
January 6th, 2011
10:42 am
We get it, Justin. You don’t like the Braves signing Uggla. You have pulled some numbers out of nowhere to make your dislike sound better and predicted an astonishing decline in power for Uggla.
Can you come up with another player who suffered such a drastic dropoff, barring injury?
Lou Vales
January 6th, 2011
10:54 am
You accuse Mark of being negative about Atlanta teams. Atlanta has had teams in all 4 major sports almost(Flames/Thrashers) continuously since 1966. With those 4 teams combined, Atlanta can boast of one LESS World Championship than the Florida Marlins have won since 1997. You expect Mark to be optimistic? Now if he was to move to Cleveland,3 teams(counting Browns/Ravens as 1)–no hockey–have won 0 World Championships, but you could count Ohio State as a better football team than Georgia since 1980 which would count for something in football hotbeds.
Atlanta-Cleveland Cleveland-Atlanta Atlanta-Cleveland Cleveland-Atlanta??
Atlanta is a far better area but writers in both cities should not expect to interview people who are carrying big crystal trophies around a jubilant locker room.
jason
January 6th, 2011
11:18 am
ok I have said this before Ugglafielding percentage is better than Prado and Infante case closed
Walker
January 6th, 2011
12:28 pm
MB- The players and coaches in atlanta who know you have very little respect for you. and the players in coaches outside of atlanta..they’ve never heard of you. Ur a disgrace to this puclication
Walker
January 6th, 2011
12:29 pm
publication*