Dan Uggla Hopes To Remain At Second Base
Yahoo's Tim Brown, talking to Dan Uggla's agent Jeff Borris, learned that Uggla wants to stay at second base. Said Borris:
"Danny Uggla's been a full-time second baseman for the last four years. He's performed exceptionally well at that position. Although he has the athleticism to play other positions, he's performed remarkably over these four years at second base and there should be no reason to consider a position change at this time."
That's technically true, since Uggla hasn't been traded yet. But many of his suitors, including the Orioles, Giants, Red Sox, and Braves, would have Uggla play a position other than second base. Perhaps it is unwise to acquire a player and force him to change positions. But Uggla does not have a say in the matter, as we learned with Alfonso Soriano heading into the 2006 season with the Nationals.
Uggla has only played second base in the Majors. In 2005 at Double A, Uggla played all four infield positions. The previous year, he spent some time in the outfield.
Giants, Orioles Pursuing Dan Uggla
THURSDAY, 9:10pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say that while the Orioles and Marlins are discussing Uggla, it might not be a match. The Orioles aren't sure how Uggla would produce in the American League, and may be reluctant to give up young talent for two years of his services. Indeed, check out Andy MacPhail's general comments to Jeff Zrebiec:
"I just don't see us giving up a young and talented player for a short-term fix. If we give up a young and talented player and fill a different position that we thought was a greater need going forward, that would be something we'd consider. But I don't see us giving up somebody we see as a core guy for a one- or two-year guy."
Of course, the Marlins didn't get a ton for Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen a year ago, so maybe the price for Uggla will be acceptable.
WEDNESDAY, 3:04pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro believes the Nationals will also show interest in Uggla.
1:19pm: The Giants and Orioles are showing the most interest in Dan Uggla, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Those clubs would move Uggla to third base, a position he hasn't played since 2005 in the minors. The writers add that the Red Sox have inquired, with an eye on using Uggla in left field. Uggla played 20 games in the outfield in Double A in '04. Rosenthal and Morosi add that an Uggla trade would compel the Marlins to retain Jorge Cantu.
Uggla, 30 in March, hit .243/.354/.459 in 668 plate appearances this season as the Marlins' second baseman. He's under team control for two more years, but is due a raise on his $5.35MM salary of '09.
Odds & Ends: Uggla, Granderson, Lackey
Links for Thursday…
- MLBTR will be mentioned on ESPN2's SportsNation program today at 3pm CST, check it out!
- FanGraphs' Dave Cameron thinks the Marlins are shopping Dan Uggla a year late, and believes he'd be expensive enough in 2011 that the Marlins "are really only selling one year of value."
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says not to dismiss the Uggla-to-left field rumor, in relation to the Braves.
- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald at the GM Meetings that "one club, I think, changed course a little bit, with more players being available." Silverman figures Epstein was referring to the Reds or Tigers.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post plays around with various Curtis Granderson-Yankees scenarios and effects. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs must pursue Granderson. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Cubs have yet to pursue him, but "conversations appear inevitable."
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin had a sit-down with John Lackey's agent Steve Hilliard this week, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan sees a three-year deal worth $18-24MM for Marlon Byrd, though he notes the limited demand for center fielders.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman looks at American players who could wind up or remain in Japan in 2010.
- Carl Pavano's agent Tom O'Connell had an excellent first meeting with the Twins Wednesday night, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In another article, Christensen notes that Glen Perkins settled his service time grievance with the Twins.
Marlins Rumors: Lindstrom, Cantu, Uggla
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald packs his Marlins rumors into one paragraph:
We hear the Marlins have been getting trade inquiries about Matt Lindstrom and are considering dealing him. One Marlins official said Leo Nuñez seems better-suited to close games. The Marlins lean toward keeping Jorge Cantu (who has drawn interest) but would consider an extraordinary offer. Dan Uggla remains likely to be dealt.
It's fitting to see Lindstrom's name on the trading block, since he's arbitration-eligible for the first time. Lindstrom had an ugly year; he spent time on the DL with an elbow strain.
The Marlins' desire to retain Cantu is surprising. His salary will continue to increase in 2010, and he's shaky defensively.
Marlins Rumors: Uggla, Ross, Cantu, Johnson
Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post has some Marlins rumors for us today…
- The front office will explore options for trading some of their 11 arbitration eligible players at the GM meetings this week. They already moved one in Jeremy Hermida over the weekend.
- Capozzi writes that there are "indications" that Dan Uggla will be traded by next month's winter meetings. The 29-year-old pounds out 30+ homer seasons like they're going out of style, but he made $5.35MM in just his first year of arbitration in 2009.
- Cody Ross is expected back after earning $2.225MM in his first year of arbitration.
- Capozzi says it's "a 50-50 split" as to whether Jorge Cantu stays or not. He earned $3.5MM in 2009 and can become a free agent next offseason.
- The Marlins aren't going to increase payroll much from last season, if they do at all.
- The team is preparing a multi-year offer for ace Josh Johnson.
Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Lackey, Bay, Trades
Jon Heyman has a new column up at SI.com, so let's dive on in…
- Scott Boras said on Sunday that the Cardinals have not made any proposals in an effort to retain Matt Holliday, and Heyman says "the chances for Holliday to remain a Cardinal look slim at this point."
- A source familiar with the situation said the Angels offered John Lackey an extension earlier this year worth less than $40MM over three years on top of 2009's $10MM salary, so if they wish to re-sign him now, they'll have to completely rethink their original stance.
- The Red Sox are trying to bring Jason Bay back on a four year, $60MM deal, though his agent maintains that Bay is the "most complete player on the market."
- The Mets, Giants, Braves, Cubs, Mariners, and Yankees could also be interested in Holliday and/or Bay.
- The Mets are believed to have Holliday higher on their wish list than Bay, and are also expected to pursue Randy Wolf.
- There is speculation that Lackey would like to pitch at home in Texas, but the Rangers' interest might depend on how quickly their sale is resolved.
- Heyman says that "MLB has set a tentative Thanksgiving deadline for the sale of the Rangers, but the price tag is expected to be in the $500 million range, and in cases of such big money there are no guarantees that things will go quickly."
- Roy Halladay, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks, Dan Uggla, and Milton Bradley should highlight a star studded trade market.
- Halladay seems like a good bet to be moved, while the Red Sox and Dodgers represent possible suitors for Gonzalez.
- Tampa has a replacement for Crawford in top prospect Desmond Jennings, while Jenks and Uggla would be moved in cost cutting deals.
- Teams will certainly inquire on the availability of Felix Hernandez, but Heyman says the team plans to spend the winter trying to lock him up long-term. At the GM Meetings today, GM Jack Zduriencik said "Felix is our property. We're going to have him the next two years."
- The Yankees have started to think about re-signing both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.
- Both the Brewers and Mariners are expected to have interest in Jarrod Washburn.
- If the Angels don't re-sign Chone Figgins, they are expected to pursue Adrian Beltre to fill their third base hole.
- The Rangers will let Hank Blalock walk as a free agent, and are expected to promote top prospect Justin Smoak next year.
- Orlando Hudson is expected to leave the Dodgers as a free agent, though Heyman says they could re-sign Ronnie Belliard to compete with Blake DeWitt at second base.
- Team officials would not be shocked if the Red Sox tried to move David Ortiz and/or Mike Lowell, though it's going to be tough to move them with all the DH-types available on the free agent market.
Twins Looking At Veteran Starters
While speaking with Joe Christensen of The Star Tribune, Twins' GM Bill Smith may have tipped his hand regarding the team's offseason plans.
"We'll see what's out there," he said. "And if there's a veteran starter or two that's a good fit for us, then we'll proceed accordingly."
The team is already returning at least five young starters, and that isn't counting Kevin Slowey's return from wrist surgery. Christensen mentions that they'll try to re-sign Carl Pavano, and says that the Twins also plan to pursue Jarrod Washburn, who has made it known that he'd like to pitch closer to his home in Wisconsin.
It's unlikely the Twins could afford John Lackey as a free agent, but Christensen says the team should find out if they have what it takes to acquire Roy Halladay or Josh Johnson via trade.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Cuddyer, Eyre, Marlins
Let's check out a few Saturday evening links….
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Chicago Cubs seem prepared to part ways with Rich Harden and Reed Johnson.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer isn't a big fan of the Minnesota Twins' decision to exercise Michael Cuddyer's 2011 option.
- Potential free agent Scott Eyre will have surgery on his left elbow, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Zolecki mentions that Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge will also go under the knife. Eyre and Ibanez should be ready for the start of spring training, but Lidge may need a little more time.
- John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle doesn't think the New York Yankees will be able to hold back on their spending this offseason, and expects them to make a big free agent splash or two.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro projects the Florida Marlins' payroll for 2010.
- We heard earlier today from Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, regarding his club's offseason plans. Dave Rutt at Batter's Box provides an interesting article on the same subject, sharing his own thoughts on how to improve the Jays.
Marlins Decline Option On Ross Gload
The Marlins have declined Ross Gload's 2010 option according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Had the team picked up the option, Gload would have made $2.6MM next season. He did not receive a buyout, according to information provided at Cot's Baseball Contracts.
The 33-year-old Gload hit .261/.329/.400 in 259 plate appearances last year, but the lefty swinger excelled off the bench, hitting .318/.418/.455 in 79 plate appearances as a pinch hitter. He even threw a scoreless inning for good measure.
Odds & Ends: Matsui, Belcher, Cuddyer, Griffey
Links for Friday…
- Lefty reliever Darren Oliver "will play in 2010 and perhaps beyond," according to his agent Mike McCann (MLB.com's Lyle Spencer reporting).
- Free agent Hideki Matsui ruled out the possibility of returning to Japan, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman (via Twitter).
- The Indians have hired their new pitching coach: Tim Belcher.
- The decision on Michael Cuddyer's $10.5MM option for 2011 is due by Monday, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Cuddyer would like to finish his career in Minnesota.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel considers Jeremy Hermida among the all-time exasperating Marlins.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has comments from Andy Pettitte about the future.
- Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent Brian Goldberg told C. Trent Rosecrans of CNATI.com that Junior's future will be decided soon.