Dan Uggla Switches Agencies
Heading into his final season of arbitration, Dan Uggla has switched agents. The second baseman left Jeff Borris and the Beverly Hills Sports Council and joined Terry Bross at Gaylord Sports Management, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Uggla makes $7.8MM this season and will earn more than that in 2011 before becoming eligible for free agency. The Marlins may not let him hit free agency, however. President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the team has interest in locking up some players to long term deals. Uggla, who just reached the 20-homer plateau for the fifth consecutive season, is a prime candidate for an extension.
Marlins To Explore Long-Term Deals With Players
TUESDAY, 7:00am: Uggla said a contract extension "would make me a very happy man," reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
MONDAY, 10:09pm: The Marlins will explore multi-year deals with “more than one” of their current players, president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. A source close to the Marlins told Rodriguez that the team hopes to sign Dan Uggla and Ricky Nolasco long-term this winter.
Both players have been in their share of trade rumors, but the club appears to have interest in keeping them around long-term. Nolasco will hit free agency after 2012 if the Marlins don't extend him. The 27-year-old makes $3.8MM this season and will receive pay raises after 2010 and 2011. Like Dan Haren, Nolasco has a relatively high ERA (4.50) but strong strikeout (8.0 K/9) and walk (1.8 BB/9) rates.
Uggla would hit free agency after 2011 if he doesn't sign an extension. This year, the Marlins are paying him $7.8MM and he will get a raise through arbitration next season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Uggla, who is on pace for a fourth consecutive 30-homer season, earn eight figures through arbitration in 2011.
Marlins Unlikely To Move Uggla, Ross
Although they've been the subject of frequent trade rumors this year, Dan Uggla and Cody Ross may remain in Florida past July 31st, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says while the Marlins have not ruled out trading Uggla and Ross, it looks unlikely that the pair will be dealt.
According to Rosenthal, Leo Nunez and Ricky Nolasco appear unavailable, though Jorge Cantu could be on the move this week. In another tweet, Rosenthal confirms the Rangers are making an aggressive play for Cantu, but notes that the Marlins are unconvinced Logan Morrison could adequately replace Cantu's production.
Uggla and Ross will each enter their final year of arbitration in 2011, while Cantu becomes a free agent after this season. Nolasco and Nunez each have two more arbitration seasons, and are under team control through 2012.
Stark On Lilly, Indians, Astros, Dodgers
The starting pitching market may be ‘mediocre’ if you ask officials around the major leagues, as ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark did, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of rumors out there with just over a week before the deadline. Here they are:
- Six teams or more are interested in Ted Lilly, who will almost certainly get traded. The Tigers, Mets and Dodgers have interest, but the Yankees probably won’t be involved. The Cubs are not willing to pick up any of Lilly’s salary and probably won’t have to.
- The A’s, on the other hand, will pick up much of the $4MM or so remaining on Ben Sheets’ salary and are ready to deal him.
- The Indians are willing to deal one of Jake Westbrook or Fausto Carmona for a “compelling” package, but not both.
- They’re also growing more and more confident that they’ll be able to trade Kerry Wood. If they don't strike a deal before the deadline, they could do so after Wood clears waivers in August.
- The Yankees are kicking tires on many starters, including Westbrook and Dan Haren.
- The Astros would have to be “overwhelmed” to move Brett Myers (as FOX Sports reported) or Wandy Rodriguez. Myers has a mutual option, so there’s no guarantee he returns in 2011. I find it hard to believe that the Astros wouldn’t deal him for a good-but-not-great group.
- The Marlins appear to have decided to focus on extending Dan Uggla, instead of trading him.
- The Dodgers have told rival teams that they have $2-3MM to play with.
Heyman On Werth, Fielder, Uggla, Mets
The Phillies have asked the Rays about B.J. Upton and Wade Davis, but someone familiar with the trade talks tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that the Phils may attempt to obtain prospects from Tampa Bay and flip them to Houston to acquire Roy Oswalt. Here’s the latest on the Phillies, plus the rest of Heyman’s rumors:
- The Phillies offered Jayson Werth a long-term deal, but he didn’t accept it right away.
- The Blue Jays are looking for middle-infield help, according to Heyman. That’s surprising, since they can retain Aaron Hill through 2014 and Yunel Escobar through 2013. Perhaps the club seeks a versatile depth option.
- Prince Fielder is not likely to be traded, according to Heyman.
- One GM tells Heyman that Dan Uggla does not yet appear to be available.
- The Mets seem to prefer Brett Myers to Ted Lilly. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Mets maintain interest in Lilly and have cooled on Myers. The reports are not necessarily contradictory, but let’s just say the Mets have some interest in both pitchers.
Odds & Ends: Piniella, Uggla, Oswalt
Links for Tuesday, as we wonder if Dave Bush and Nate Robertson are making their last starts for their respective teams…
- Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced today that he'll retire after the season. Is Ryne Sandberg next in line?
- The Marlins are talking internally about extending second baseman Dan Uggla after the season, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explains why a Roy Oswalt trade seems unlikely: his salary, his no-trade clause, and Ed Wade's demands.
- Before Brandon Inge's injury last night, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports was told the Tigers "have been more aggressive in looking for relievers than starters" (Twitter link). Here's a reminder on the trade markets for relievers and starters.
- Two of Morosi's big league sources forecast a 50% chance of the Braves acquiring an outfielder. As Morosi notes, the Braves have a strong inventory of pitching prospects.
- One more from Morosi: he says the Rays are "checking around for possible upgrades" at center field, right field, first base, or catcher (Twitter link). They've been loosely connected to Corey Hart and Jayson Werth this summer.
Rockies Looking To Add Before Deadline
The Rockies are seeking to upgrade their bullpen, starting rotation, and corner infield situation, sources tell Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post.
Colorado seems to be fond of Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, but as we learned earlier today, the Marlins don't seem inclined to deal the two-time All-Star. Further putting the kibosh on the possibility of him ending up in Colorado, Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies says (via Twitter) that the club hasn't been in pursuit of Uggla since last winter.
The club likes Uggla's teammate, Jorge Cantu, and they're keeping an eye on Baltimore's Ty Wigginton. The Rockies could make a move for a rental prior to the trade deadline and make a bigger splash heading into the August 31st waiver deadline.
Meanwhile, the Rockies are looking for relief help. The club has interest in Toronto's Kevin Gregg and Pittsburgh's Octavio Dotel. However, it will be difficult for Colorado to land either player. Gregg's friendly contract option this offseason gives his club the option of picking him up for $4.5MM in 2011 or keeping him through 2012 for $8.75MM. Renck feels that Dotel could be hard to pry away from the Pirates as he is their only closer, but keep in mind that Evan Meek has been one of the game's best relievers (1.05 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 2.5 BB/9) in a set-up capacity and could probably fill the role despite his lack of experience. Still, Renck feels Colorado will look for a rebound candidate instead.
The Rockies would like to upgrade their rotation, but they're not going to overspend for a "fourth-starter type". Houston ace Roy Oswalt won't waive his no trade clause to come to Colorado, but Arizona's Dan Haren could be a possibility. However, Haren's price could be too high for the club.
Marlins Likely To Keep Uggla
There are indications that the Marlins are not leaning toward trading Dan Uggla, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Florida may even sign the second baseman for 2011, his final season of arbitration. The club has yet to determine if they will seek a long-term contract in the offseason, however.
The Rockies have been interested in Uggla for quite some time and their interest has been ramped up since Troy Tulowitzki broke his wrist in mid-June. While it seems like the Fish will hang on to their two-time All-Star, Frisaro notes that the club has a policy of listening to possible offers on just about anyone on their team.
As we've heard in recent weeks, there are other members of the Marlins who are trade candidates. Cody Ross could change uniforms before the deadline and the Braves seem to be one of the most interested clubs out there. Third baseman Jorge Cantu could be moved as he may be too rich for the Marlins' blood when he hits free agency this winter. Even veteran Wes Helms has heard his name in trade talks as the Yankees appear to be interested.
Odds & Ends: Wood, Cards, Uggla, Guillen, Lilly
Links for Friday, after an impressive start from trade candidate Ted Lilly…
- Peter Gammons said on WEEI that he hears the Red Sox don't have interest in Kerry Wood.
- Five Cardinals writers confront the following question at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Has Cards GM John Mozeliak emerged from the shadow of his predecessor, Walt Jocketty?
- Joey Votto and Ryan Zimmerman are among the ten MLB players with the most trade value, if you ask Dave Cameron of FanGraphs.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak did not deny interest in Kelly Johnson and Dan Uggla while chatting to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio (Twitter link).
- The Rockies are not discussing Dan Uggla with the Marlins, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- 2005 first rounders Justin Upton and Ryan Braun are 11th and 12th, respectively, on Dave Cameron's list of the MLB players with the most trade value.
- The Giants have a better chance of obtaining Jose Guillen than David DeJesus, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft. The Giants have said they'd prefer to avoid rental players, but Guillen could presumably be had.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry met with Ted Lilly yesterday to discuss the left-hander's future, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Lilly, a (projected Type A) free agent after the season, makes $12MM this year and has no-trade protection.
- Bobby Jenks told the Chicago Sun-Times that he is relieved not to spot his name in trade rumors – at least for now.
- Former MLB manager Don Baylor tells Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun that he would like the chance to interview for the upcoming managerial opening in Toronto.
Rockies Remain Interested In Dan Uggla
There are strong indications the Rockies remain interested in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies-Uggla speculation has been consistent since Troy Tulowitzki's wrist was broken on June 17th.
Colorado's interest predates the Tulo injury, however. Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that the Rockies discussed trading Clint Barmes and a prospect for Uggla last offseason. It was an active discussion, reported ESPN's Jayson Stark in January. Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Marlins have made Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross available but are holding off for now on Uggla and Ricky Nolasco.
Uggla is having another fine year, with a .285/.369/.483 line and 16 home runs in 371 plate appearances. He has $3.52MM remaining on his contract this season, and could earn around $10MM in 2011 in his final arbitration year. Renck feels that Uggla's salary and the Rockies' potential desire to use him at various infield positions could be obstacles. Marlins president Larry Beinfest said on Sunday that the team is open to anything, but they won't make moves to clear salary.
It's surprising we haven't heard other teams connected to Uggla. The Red Sox and Phillies have injury concerns at second base, while the White Sox and Mets are among the contenders who have gotten very little offense out of the position.