His Name is Trade Bait (Dan Uggla Trade Talk)

[wanks1212]

Whether Dan Uggla is on the Marlins' Opening Day roster remains to be seen.

For now, don't dismiss the chance of the Marlins signing the two-time All-Star second baseman. In fact, the team is currently engaged in dialogue with Uggla's agent, Jeff Borris, about a contract for 2010.

Uggla, the first Marlin to ever have three straight 30 home run seasons, is in his second year of arbitration. A year ago, both sides couldn't come to terms on a contract for 2009. His case went to an arbitration hearing, with the ruling going in Uggla's favor.

In 2009, he made $5.35 million, and his salary projects to exceed $7 million in 2010. Fitting Uggla into their budget will be a challenge, since their payroll is expected to be less than $40 million.

The past few months, the Marlins have shopped Uggla, but there hasn't been a big market for his services. The Giants and Orioles had interest, but talks with those clubs have since stopped.

The Marlins have insisted that they won't just give the slugger away.

Even if he signs with the Marlins, the team could still seek to deal him before the start of Spring Training. Another possibility is the Marlins keep Uggla, and see if they are in the race at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. If they are, they may retain him for the final few months. If they aren't, they would be in position to shop him.

-- Joe Frisaro

- via the book

[lou]

If they keep Uggla and Cantu, payroll is going to be at least $45. Let's just use that.

Uggla/Cantu/Nunez/Anibal are going to make approximately $15 million combined. Assuming April, May, June and July is paid for, and we are non-contenders and sell the final two months, that means basically means we aren't on the hook for $5 million of that. Replacing those four with CC options, adds basically half a million to payroll.

So really, we hit around the "$40 million" number as a non-contender by dishing those 4 in July. And if we are a contender, that's just a bonus for the front office and good for us we have Uggla around.

So I mean, worst case scenario of not being able to trade Uggla and then not becoming a contender, gets us to right around what they want to spend for the year. You maybe "lose" $1-2 million compared to trading Uggla now.

They can keep him and see how it plays out financially. Still have the trade all players with contracts in July strategy if need be.

[BigGameFish]

Uggla (and other eligible Marlins) filed for arbi today.

If you listen to the video corner on the Marlins site right now Fredi Gonzalez says that Uggla will be on the team for Spring Training. This is the first confirmation I've heard of him definately being on the team next year.

[wanks1212]

We hear the Marlins -- who agreed to raise payroll above $40 million as part of last week's confidential agreement -- still prefer to trade Dan Uggla but won't do it unless they get a solid return

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...y/1429522.html

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Even after the Marlins agreed to terms with Dan Uggla, speculation remains that the team will trade the two-time All-Star before Opening Day.

From what I've heard, don't believe it.

The Marlins are planning on retaining Uggla,*who will be the team's highest paid player in 2010. Uggla's one-year deal is worth $7.8 million, which tops Hanley Ramirez, who will collect $7 million this season. Ramirez is in the second of a six-year, $70 million contract.

The Marlins explored trading Uggla in the offseason, but they couldn't find a match. The Giants and Orioles each expressed interest, but no talks were serious since the Winter Meetings in December.

The way the roster is shaping up, Uggla should remain at second base and batting fifth, behind cleanup hitter, Jorge Cantu.

Uggla's expected return pretty much secures Chris Coghlan in left field, and makes Emilio Bonifacio the probable super utility player.

The fact the Marlins are bringing Uggla back at $7.8 million means he fits into their 2010 budget. So there is no*mandate to move him.

Now, the club can certainly explore trade options at any time. It appears now the only way that would happen is if the team is out of playoff contention at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Of course, during Spring Training, if another team has the need for a second baseman, they could check to see Uggla's availability. But by that point, the Marlins also will be looking to secure their roster, and it would have to take a sweet offer for them to pull the trigger.

The Marlins maintained all along that they would not just give Uggla away. One reason why the few teams that expressed interest in Uggla shied away from a deal was the fact he was lined up to make more than $7 million.

The fact that his contract is now $7.8 million limits his market, at this point.

Another reason why Uggla is expected to be with the Marlins in 2010 is the team isn't sure either Bonifacio or Coghlan is ready to be the every day second baseman. In Uggla, the Marlins have a proven 30 homer, 90 RBI slugger who can hit in the middle of the order.

One alternative the Marlins could have explored if they did move Uggla was switching Coghlan to second base and going with prospect Logan Morrison in left field. Morrison will be getting a look at first base in Spring Training, but he can also play either corner outfield spot.

Uggla should remain a Marlin

[Sashimi]

The Marlins are planning on retaining Uggla, who will be the team's highest paid player in 2010. Uggla's one-year deal is worth $7.8 million, which tops Hanley Ramirez, who will collect $7 million this season.

that's just wrong.

[wanks1212]

maybe this year someone will accuse uggla of not giving his full effort because uggla's "already got his money"

[Swifty]

that's just wrong.

I'll take the $70 million guaranteed over the extra $800K.
--------------------

maybe this year someone will accuse uggla of not giving his full effort because uggla's "already got his money"

We could play guess the Marlin with that! It'd be a fun prop bet.

[Fritz]

Uggla will buy lots of Uggs with his money.

/terrible, worthless post

[m26555]

*waits for Hanley to complain that Uggla is making more money than him this season*

Nah...Hanley is more mature than that...right? Hopefully?

[m26555]

Marlins president David Samson said on his weekly radio show that he expected Dan Uggla to be the team's Opening Day second baseman. That marked the first public admission by a club executive that Uggla would likely remain with the Marlins after months of speculation that he would be traded.

"He is a Marlin and will be a Marlin this season," Samson said Wedneday on 790 The Ticket.

Asked by host Dan LeBatard whether Uggla would be the Opening Day second baseman, Samson replied: "Yes. The fact of the matter is he is a Marlin. I never actually went to bed one night this offseason thinking he was not going to be a Marlin."

The Marlins had trade discussions with several teams about Uggla in December.

Samson also said there are no plans to trade third baseman Jorge Cantu and discounted rumors that Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell might be traded back to the Marlins ("It's not something that's come to my attention," Samson said.)

The Marlins signed Uggla ($7.8 million) and Cantu ($6 million) this week to one-year contracts. The team has also scheduled a press conference on Thursday to officially announce the signing of starting pitcher Josh Johnson to a 4-year deal worth $39 million.

"We're pretty much bringing back in full an 87-win team," Samson said. "We expect to do better."

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/fish_...ng-day-2b.html