Comments on: The Braves are close to signing Dan Uggla to a five-year extension

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:38:55 +0000

Agreed, but I think they need to move him off the position, pronto. He’s got two things working against him already – slow, unathletic guys who rely on power and patience (“old-player skills”) earlier in their career tend to age poorly, and second basemen tend to age poorly (something to do with the wear on the joints manning the pivot provides, IIRC). The Braves can mitigate one of those factors by putting him in left field right away. First base probably would have been better, but Freddie Freeman’s a lot better than whoever else they could have run out in left instead.

There’s no need to double down on his chances of falling off a cliff before this extension’s over.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:02:41 +0000

I think Uggla is a very durable player, I think he’ll be good for years to come. I think he needs to LET GO of the thought he’s a second baseman. Him on first or the OF as Craig said, is really where he’s best suited imo. Without a doubt, he made the Braves better. Let’s hope Freddie can hold a candle to Cox. If I were a Braves fan, I think i’d fear life without Bobby more than that contract with Uggly.

By: brandonfgwu

brandonfgwu — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:46:01 +0000

While this deal isn’t official yet, it should include this year at hopefully a lower rate then the expected $10 million that has been budgeted but not signed for, and will allow the braves to maybe get another decent backup Inf or OF that they so desperately need.

With that said, a 4 year extension beyond this one is not unreasonable despite how old or clunky a fielder he is. However, while I would have rather they didn’t do it for this long, at least Derrek Lowe comes off the books in 2 years…