Braves, Uggla Agree to Extension

[The Guid]

Multiple sources are reporting that Dan Uggla has agreed to a 5yr/$62MM extension with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves acquired the slugging second baseman in November in exchange for infielder Omar Infante and pitcher Michael Dunn, after the slugger made it clear he wanted out of Florid. Evidenced by him rejecting a similar, albeit one year less, offer from the Marlins.

Uggla's salary in first year of the deal is said to be under $10MM with the rest averaging out over the next three. While he still needs to pass a physical, and he most likely will, the deal make Uggla the highest average annual salary of any second baseman in baseball history. It is also interesting to note that this is the highest contract handed out by the Braves since Andruw Jones and his 6yr/$75MM deal in '01.

That may sound like an overpayment to some but Uggla has some numbers to back him up. He has hit 30+ homers in the last four seasons; including a career high 33 last year to go with his 105 RBI. He also posted a fine .287/.369/.508 line last season.

Though the knock on Uggla is his, based on UZR ratings, below average defense, the Braves may have finally found their middle of the order slugger to help provide some pop and protection for rising star Jason Heyward. -Baggs

information provided by MLBTR.com

 

[cruzg24]

Atleast hes staying within the division. I never really liked him all that much as a player, he didnt play good defense, didnt hit for a high average, and he was never a big basestealer. He cant definitely hit for power, but I mean he has to have some other tools to have such a big contract. We'll see what happens in Atlanta, maybe he becomes more of a complete hitter with the Braves lineup.

 

[The Edge]

I think this is a good deal.

Atlanta was a poor defensive team before Uggla that had no one with 30 home run potential. We go out and get yet another poor defensive player who is the most consistent offensive second basemen in the game, who has showcased time and time again that he can hit 30+ home runs. Oh not to mention he is a lifetime .350 hitter in the Ted, and projects over the next 5 years to have a $70M value. As poor a defense as he plays, projected is a slight steal for Atlanta and gives the big right handed bat and our lineup's only 30 home run threat. A 90+ Win team just eliminated the need for a poor LF platoon and added an extra 15 home runs to the line up. That could be crucial with the Phillies adding Lee to their rotation with all the left handed bats.