Dan Uggla Rumors

Olsen/Willingham Trade Roundup

By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2008 at 5:00pm CST]

It's official - the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean. Let's round up commentary on the surprising deal. Jim Bowden says he acquired Willingham as an outfielder, not a first baseman. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has Larry Beinfest saying the Marlins will move forward with both Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla. Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez also believe Uggla will stay put this winter. Olsen talked to Frisaro and the Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi about the trade. He's happy it's over, but doesn't sound bitter. Also at... Continue Reading

Nats Trade For Olsen, Willingham

By Nat Boyle [November 10, 2008 at 9:44pm CST]

9:44pm: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was assured this evening that Dan Uggla will not be traded this winter. Additonally, Mike Berardino says the Marlins won't be signing Ivan Rodriguez for a second stint. 6:34pm: According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Nationals acquired Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham from the Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor league players, pitcher P.J. Dean and shortstop Jake Smolinski. Bonifacio was the prospect the Diamondbacks traded straight up for Jon Rauch. He fits into the "speed and defense" plan. Smolinski was ranked 11th among Nationals prospects heading into... Continue Reading

Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

By Tim Dierkes [October 28, 2008 at 10:17am CST]

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009. This means they won't be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players. Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th. However, Berardino confirms Olney's note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available. The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa's August forearm soreness. A thought: why would the... Continue Reading

Jacobs To Royals Fell Through

By Nat Boyle [October 26, 2008 at 9:47am CST]

Change is brewing in the Marlins front office this offseason. Not only have they decided to increase payroll to $30-35MM but also they are actively shopping Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, and Kevin Gregg this offseason; so actively, that a deal with Kansas City fell apart last week according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The deal collapsed, according to Jackson, due to "a medical issue involving a minor-league pitcher" from Kansas City. If, or when, Jacobs is dealt, the Marlins feel Gaby Sanchez can take over at first, and Olsen's spot in the rotation is expected to be occupied... Continue Reading

Marlins Will Discuss Jacobs, Olsen, Gregg

By Tim Dierkes [October 24, 2008 at 1:06pm CST]

From ESPN's Buster Olney this morning: Wrote here recently that the Marlins intend to keep the vast majority of their arbitration-eligible players, including Dan Uggla, unless they are completely overwhelmed by trade offers. Three of the Marlins' arbitration-eligible players who they are more willing to discuss: first baseman Mike Jacobs, left-hander Scott Olsen and reliever Kevin Gregg. Olsen looks like a sell-high candidate. The 24 year-old posted a 4.20 ERA in 201.2 innings this year. His strikeout rate has declined every year he's been in the bigs, falling to 5.04 per nine innings this season. He also benefitted from an... Continue Reading

Scout's View Of Marlins Trade Targets

By Tim Dierkes [October 23, 2008 at 11:21am CST]

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked to a veteran scout this week about the Marlins' possible trade chips. The reviews were on the positive side for Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Alfredo Amezaga. The scout apparently recommended against Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Gregg, and Josh Willingham. Hermida's report was particularly damning, with the scout claiming the right fielder has "no passion for the game." For more on the Fish, check out our Offseason Outlook. Continue Reading

Uggla Trade Unlikely?

By Tim Dierkes [October 15, 2008 at 10:35am CST]

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Marlins ownership will allow the team to keep all of its many arbitration-eligible players, if that is the front office's preference. The Marlins won't be forced to make payroll-motivated deals; instead, they'll just look for good baseball trades like any team. Greg Cote suggested the same a few weeks ago, noting that the Marlins will shift focus to pitching, speed, and defense but won't cut payroll just for the sake of it. Olney figures they'll keep Dan Uggla: It appears very unlikely they will deal Uggla and others, and they are poised to be the... Continue Reading

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Giants Discussing Uggla, Konerko And Lee?

By Paul Moro [October 11, 2008 at 1:52pm CST]

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers mentions some names that the offensively-challenged San Francisco Giants are considering acquiring this off-season, specifically, Dan Uggla, Paul Konerko, and Derrek Lee. He writes: San Francisco, desperate for a proven bat, is expected to pursue one-dimensional second baseman Dan Uggla. The Giants also may kick the tires on first baseman Paul Konerko of the White Sox and Derrek Lee of the Cubs, both of whom have full no-trade clauses. They probably would have to deal a young pitcher—Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain. I understand why the Giants would want to add some bats. They averaged... Continue Reading

Angels Rumors: Teixeira, K-Rod, Uggla

By Tim Dierkes [October 7, 2008 at 10:07am CST]

The Angels were eliminated, so it's time to look forward to the offseason. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has the latest. Mark Teixeira said the right things again, about how his time with the Angels gives him something to think about as a free agent. Joel Sherman believes Tex is a great fit for the Yankees, even if he is the "ultimate Boras client." Sherman figures the Yanks, Red Sox, Orioles, and Angels will compete for Teixeira. Francisco Rodriguez's first choice is the Angels. Sherman believes the Angels' apparent willingness to let K-Rod go is a warning sign for... Continue Reading

Rosenthal's Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

By Tim Dierkes [September 3, 2008 at 9:55am CST]

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up. Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry's contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for '09. If the new Cubs ownership doesn't want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter. Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry's trade history. Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market. Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest. Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still... Continue Reading

Many Marlins Due Raises

By Tim Dierkes [August 26, 2008 at 10:44am CST]

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel discusses the Marlins' difficult situation this winter, with as many as 18 players facing arbitration. Berardino projects salaries for these players in this chart. As you may know, players typically reach arbitration the offseason after they cross the three-year service time mark. The resulting raise can be as much as 1000%, with Ryan Howard's case last year the most drastic example ($900K in '07, $10MM in '08). The Marlins' biggest jump figures to be second baseman Dan Uggla - $417K in 08, perhaps $5MM or more in '09. Most players face arbitration three... Continue Reading

Marlins Could Be Set For Another Fire Sale

By Cork Gaines [August 17, 2008 at 10:03am CST]

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins will be forced to trade away some of their arbitration-eligible players this offseason unless management is willing to double their payroll into the $50MM range. Jackson takes a closer look at which players may be on the move... Two scouts and a GM told Jackson that the Marlins will likely explore the market for Mike Jacobs, noting they have other options at first base. Jackson feels the Marlins won't want to give Dan Uggla a long-term deal and will look to trade him. With Cameron Maybin ready to take over, Jackson... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Meche, Horne, Manny, Uggla

By Tim Dierkes [June 30, 2008 at 1:29pm CST]

Today's random hot stove links... Gil Meche wants to stay with the Royals. Yankees pitching prospect Alan Horne may be injured. This could have hot stove ramifications - Horne could've been a top trade chip or even a rotation addition this year. Peter Abraham does not think Barry Bonds makes sense for the Yankees. Hideki Matsui will be out at least a couple of weeks with a knee injury, with surgery as a last resort. Manny Ramirez shoved the Red Sox's traveling secretary. This is slightly different than the Shawn Chacon situation, in that Chacon had his hands around Ed... Continue Reading

Stark's Latest: Young Players, Giles, DeJesus

By Tim Dierkes [May 23, 2008 at 8:41am CST]

Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings column is chock full of information. Stark rattles off Dan Uggla, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, Russell Martin, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Felix Hernandez, Jeff Francoeur, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia as youngsters who do not have long-term deals in the works. With Uggla and Greinke, the opposition seems more on the team's side. With Hamels and Howard neither side wants a long-term deal. With the rest, the player is resisting. The Padres' top trading chip is probably Brian Giles, though a deal would further deplete a weak offense.... Continue Reading

Locking Up Young Stars: Martin, Kendrick, Kotchman, Pedroia, Uggla

By Tim Dierkes [May 18, 2008 at 10:22pm CST]

Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times takes a look at the spate of recent long-term deals for young stars. Talking to different players and agents, Shaikin found no consensus on whether such contracts are a good idea. Some folks (including Shaikin and Pat Gillick, apparently) believe it's wise for richer clubs to go year-to-year to avoid getting stuck with a bad contract. I'm sure teams have done comprehensive studies on these types of contracts, but my guess is that flops are few are far between. I can only think of a handful (Angel Berroa, Eric Hinske come to mind). As... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Kendrick, Uggla, Haren

By Tim Dierkes [November 14, 2007 at 11:20pm CST]

Another random collection of rumorage... The Braves have "many millions more" to spend on players this winter. One emailer suggested that maybe the Braves will offer arbitration to Andruw Jones and he'll accept. Corey Patterson and the Nationals have mutual interest. Baseball Prospectus' Joe Sheehan considers him a possible bargain, noting that he is only 28. We figured the Padres and Matt Clement had mutual interest. Now it's official. Clement wants a one-year deal with incentives. Tracy Ringolsby confirms that Yorvit Torrealba wants a three-year deal. He says the Rockies are at two years, $7MM, the Marlins are in the.. Continue Reading

Contract Window For Miguel Cabrera?

By Tim Dierkes [November 9, 2007 at 2:05pm CST]

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says the Miguel Cabrera trade talks are heating up. As you know, Cabrera is under team control for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He might become more enticing if the acquiring team can talk to his agent prior to completion of a trade, with a long-term contract in mind. As far as I can tell Cabrera is represented by Arn Tellem and Fernando Cuza currently. Frisaro says the Angels and Dodgers are in the lead for Cabrera. The Yankees, White Sox, Indians, and Tigers are also in the mix. However this Paul Hoynes article seems to indicate.. Continue Reading