Knobler On Braves, Peavy, Holliday
CBS Sports' Danny Knobler thinks the Jake Peavy drama this past week helped kick-start some discussion on team needs. He's got a couple interesting bullets:
- The Braves are shopping hard for a right-handed hitter and are said to be dangling Jeff Francoeur, though Mark Bowman speculated last week that they might release him. His value can't be too high now. We discussed the Braves' woes last week.
- Though they might have interest in Mark DeRosa and Peavy, the Brewers want to prove they can be a contending team before they make any big moves.
- Knobler reiterates the Marlins' willingness to hear offers on Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu.
- With Matt Holliday's woes at the plate, scouts say the A's can't expect to get as much as they might've hoped. "He's so easy to pitch to right now it's unbelievable," one of Knobler's sources said.
Giants Inquire On Uggla
Juan C. Rodriguez at the Sun-Sentinel says the Giants have had preliminary discussions with the Marlins about second baseman Dan Uggla, "though they are not believed to have reached general manager level."
This jives with reports that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wants "substantive changes" for his team. Rodriguez says the Giants would almost certainly have to part with Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez if such a deal were to go through.
Rodriguez also speculates that the Giants might be kicking the tires on Nick Johnson and Mark DeRosa in their quest for a bat.
Marlins, Loria Want “Substantive Changes”
On a 4-game losing streak leaving the team 19-25, and with hopeful ace Ricky Nolasco demoted, the Marlins are not right. In a note, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins are looking to make a change.
Jackson mentions Dan Uggla as a possible trade chip. Uggla is making $5.35MM in '09, his first year of arbitration, and after an abysmal beginning he may finally be starting to earn it by posting a 1.265 OPS with 4 HR and 9 RBI over his last 7 games.
The Marlins pitchers may lead the NL in strikeouts, but the team's 4.98 ERA is third to last and their 187 walks are tied with the Nats for most allowed.
There are lots of good comments discussing Marlins 2010 options and 2009 trade possibilities in this post.
Dan Uggla Wins Arbitration Case
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Dan Uggla won his arbitration case. He’ll be paid $5.35MM in ’09 instead of the Marlins’ $4.4MM submission. 2009 is Uggla’s first arb year, so the decision will have a ripple effect on his ’10 and ’11 salaries.
Uggla’s Arbitration Hearing Is Today
According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla will have his arbitration hearing today. The Marlins submitted $4.4MM, while Uggla is at $5.35MM. Uggla will sit in on the proceedings.
Uggla Feeling Unwanted In Florida?
Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has a chat transcript from Dan Uggla‘s Wednesday afternoon appearance on ESPN Radio 760 in West Palm Beach. During the interview Uggla hinted that he’d like the Marlins to offer him a long-term deal, even if it’s "crappy."
"People would argue that I deserve a long term deal, along with some other guys on our team that probably deserve a long term deal. But by no means are we saying, ‘Oh we are worth just as much as Hanley [Ramirez],’ or anything like that. It would be nice to have them [the Marlins] — to even throw out even a crappy deal just to show us they are interested in keeping some of us around."
Uggla, 28, hit .260/.360/.514 last season with 32 home runs and 92 RBI. He also stole five bases.
Uggla Unlikely To Be Traded
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post spoke with Marlins team president David Samson on Wednesday. Samson implied that Dan Uggla probably won’t be traded this offseason.
"Everyone is on the trading block, but some players are more likely than others to get traded and I would certainly put (Uggla) in the less-likely (category) as we speak today," Samson said.
Uggla will recieve either $5.35 million or $4.4 million when an arbitrator decides his fate next month. "Dan Uggla is a very important part of our team. He is being compensated as one of the top first-time eligible position players in history," Samson added.
Marlins Not Looking To Lock In Uggla
The Marlins are less than a million bucks apart with second baseman Dan Uggla; the full list shows that this gap is toward the low end. No matter what happens, Uggla will be the team’s second highest-paid player (Hanley Ramirez will earn $5.5MM in ’09).
Uggla’s agent, Jeff Borris, explained that the Fish are not looking to sign his client long-term:
"The Marlins are not interested in signing Daniel Uggla to a multiyear contract. We always would be open to listen to anything, but they made it very clear to us they were only going to sign Hanley and Hanley alone."
Regarding new acquisition Emilio Bonifacio, Borris noted that "his price is right for the Marlins." The author of the blog post, Mike Berardino, suspects Uggla could be traded by the July deadline if not sooner.
Uggla, 29 in March, provides a blast of right-handed power at second base. He hit .260/.360/.514 in 619 plate appearances. His defense was well below-average in ’07 but slightly above par in ’08, according to John Dewan’s plus/minus system. Uggla could be a candidate to play third base if traded. He is under team control through 2011. Teams such as the Twins, Angels, and Giants could make sense.
Marlins Avoid Arb With Ross, Nolasco, Amezaga
According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Marlins avoided arbitration with Cody Ross ($2.225MM), Ricky Nolasco ($2.4MM plus $50K in incentives), and Alfredo Amezaga ($1.3MM). They’re headed to a February hearing with Dan Uggla.
Marlins Showing Interest In Orlando Cabrera
According to Scot Gregor of the Arlington Daily Herald, the Marlins have shown interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Cabrera definitely wouldn’t bump Hanley Ramirez from his spot, but the long shot acquisition could result in Dan Uggla sliding to third. Cabrera would obviously then man second base. He actually told reporters one week ago that he’d be open to that move if it helps him land a bigger contract. The A’s have also shown strong interest in him this offseason. Problem is, Cabrera costs a draft pick.