Rockies Interested in Uggla

[wanks1212]

For more than a year, Dan Uggla's name has been tossed around in trade rumors. Of late, he's been linked in speculation with the Rockies, who have liked him for a couple of seasons.

While the Marlins have a policy of listening to possible offers on just about anyone on their team, there are indications that the club is not leaning toward trading the two-time All-Star second baseman.

In his fifth season with Florida, Uggla is a core player who is in his second season of arbitration.

The Marlins are considering retaining Uggla, not only for the remainder of the year, but to sign him again for 2011, his final season of arbitration. The organization could seek a long-term contract in the offseason, but that decision has not been determined.

What is clear is Uggla is a player the Marlins value and hope to build around, barring a trade offer that is too tempting to pass up.

Uggla paces the team with 16 homers. He has driven in 52 runs, and he's batting .283.

In the clubhouse, Uggla's leadership is valued.

The Marlins are in the midst of a 10-game homestand, and no trades are expected until after it is concluded on July 25.

A couple of deals are possible. The two position players who may be moved are Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross. Wes Helms is a veteran who has attracted the attention of some teams, including the Yankees. The Marlins also value Helms, and hope to make him part of the organization in a coaching capacity once his playing days are over.

-- Joe Frisaro

http://mlb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010...eep_uggla.html

If they're determined to keep him for 2011, talking with him about a 3 year deal (if he'd go for that) isn't a bad idea. Keeping him for 2011 and then letting him hit the FA market is a bad idea. If Uggla has a strong 2011 and walks away in free agency before the new stadium opens, that's gonna look bad for the ownership group and just further their reputation as cheapasses.

[Metes]

For more than a year, Dan Uggla's name has been tossed around in trade rumors. Of late, he's been linked in speculation with the Rockies, who have liked him for a couple of seasons.

While the Marlins have a policy of listening to possible offers on just about anyone on their team, there are indications that the club is not leaning toward trading the two-time All-Star second baseman.

In his fifth season with Florida, Uggla is a core player who is in his second season of arbitration.

The Marlins are considering retaining Uggla, not only for the remainder of the year, but to sign him again for 2011, his final season of arbitration. The organization could seek a long-term contract in the offseason, but that decision has not been determined.

What is clear is Uggla is a player the Marlins value and hope to build around, barring a trade offer that is too tempting to pass up.

Uggla paces the team with 16 homers. He has driven in 52 runs, and he's batting .283.

In the clubhouse, Uggla's leadership is valued.

The Marlins are in the midst of a 10-game homestand, and no trades are expected until after it is concluded on July 25.

A couple of deals are possible. The two position players who may be moved are Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross. Wes Helms is a veteran who has attracted the attention of some teams, including the Yankees. The Marlins also value Helms, and hope to make him part of the organization in a coaching capacity once his playing days are over.

-- Joe Frisaro

http://mlb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010...eep_uggla.html

[Beef]

weird

[Sashimi]

now is the time to sell high on Uggla, methinks.

[Nick]

now is the time to sell high on Uggla, methinks.

What do you mean sell high? He's doing exactly what he's been doing for the previous 4 years, and I'd bet a lot of money that his next 4 years look similar to his previous 4 years, if not better. We could've sold high on him 2 years ago, we could sell high on him 2 years from now. He's just a good player, and we better be getting something damn good in return if we do deal, because what we should be doing is locking him up for the next 4 years.

[Emperor]

What do you mean sell high? He's doing exactly what he's been doing for the previous 4 years, and I'd bet a lot of money that his next 4 years look similar to his previous 4 years, if not better. We could've sold high on him 2 years ago, we could sell high on him 2 years from now. He's just a good player, and we better be getting something damn good in return if we do deal, because what we should be doing is locking him up for the next 4 years.

I've always thought they should lock him up. It looks now like they will have to keep him at least through next year. If they had locked him up in 2008 for 4 years at $ 22 million with say $ 6 million up front they would have saved themselves some of the precious money they'll be spending now. I am guessing he gets at least $ 9 million in arby next year ?

[emkayseven]

he'll get over $10 fo sho

[Emperor]

he'll get over $10 fo sho

then I don't get why they didn't lock him up like Hanley ? I guess they must have thought they would get rid of him.

[Sashimi]

What do you mean sell high? He's doing exactly what he's been doing for the previous 4 years, and I'd bet a lot of money that his next 4 years look similar to his previous 4 years, if not better. We could've sold high on him 2 years ago, we could sell high on him 2 years from now. He's just a good player, and we better be getting something damn good in return if we do deal, because what we should be doing is locking him up for the next 4 years.

Yes, his power numbers have been quite consistent, but this year's he's also hitting for a better average.

[lou]

I've always thought they should lock him up. It looks now like they will have to keep him at least through next year. If they had locked him up in 2008 for 4 years at $ 22 million with say $ 6 million up front they would have saved themselves some of the precious money they'll be spending now. I am guessing he gets at least $ 9 million in arby next year ?

I think it would have been closer to 4/27-29 million after 2008, but that still is a significant cost savings from what he will get in arbitration and a free agency year.

Now, I see nothing less than 4/$44-50 on a deal, and a solid $10-11 in arbitration for 2011. In comparison to your hypothetical, Marlins will have paid around $35 million to him instead during those years if it goes down like that. Its atleast a $6 million 'mistake' over 4 years, if not more.
--------------------

then I don't get why they didn't lock him up like Hanley ? I guess they must have thought they would get rid of him.

His skill set doesn't really scream sign me. He has significantly raised his walk rates from when he started, and his defense has turned from abysmal to passable, so those are things to take into consideration when signing a guy longterm. Who knew he would improve that much where it is reasonable to think his performance would continue until he turns 35. He was a risky investment in his pre-arbitration years when you never knew if the bottom, i.e. whiffs, were going to drop out and he'd become the new Ty Wigginton.

At this point, the Marlins would agree it was a mistake not to sign him for 5 or 6 years like Hanley, but that's with hindsight. It wasn't a mistake at the time of contract. He still is reasonably priced based on his age for a free agent contract now, so while they could have saved a few bucks, signing him for 4/48 isn't a bad deal even if there was a better one.

Uggla is just a good situation because he is a valuable player. Trade him? get pitching. keep him? Get draft picks in 2012 and a nice bridge to Dominguez. Sign him? You have a well above average middle infield for at least the next 4 years. I'll be interested in seeing what direction they go