The Atlanta Braves are slumping thanks to their lack of hits over the past stretch of games. Against the San Francisco Giants BJ Upton was the only player to get a hit in 4-2 loss. In their last series against the Giants, the Braves only mustered up three runs in three games. The lack of support is killing the pitching rotation that continues to be one of the best in the league. Manager Fredi Gonzalez is starting to lay blame and the first to fall could be Dan Uggla.
The second baseman has not exactly been a fan favorite over the past two seasons. He had the worst season of his career in 2013 and now he is following that up with a painful .184 average with just 10 RBI and 31 strikeouts. His slump has extended too long causing Gonzalez to bench him for the past five games. With no indication of a return, could Uggla be finished in Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that right now Gonzalez has no intentions of putting Uggla back in the lineup and a release or trade is likely coming in the following weeks. Of course a release is the easiest thing to do, but will be the last ditch effort for the Braves. Uggla still has $22 million remaining on a contract signed through 2015 so naturally Atlanta would like to get something in return.
The issue is trying to pull off a trade. Uggla is not worth much. Atlanta's farm system now only ranks 22nd in the league after trades have depleted the talent pool. Fansided.com offers the suggestion of a deal with the Seattle Mariners involving Nick Franklin. With Robinson Cano in uniform, Franklin has no place on the team, but is still a solid bat. A simple switch of players is not for the Mariners, leaving the Braves to possibly through in a starting pitcher. Sending someone like Alex Wood could be worth Seattle's time since they are short a few men in the rotation and the Braves suddenly have more pitchers than needed.
For the time being, the Braves will rely on Tyler Pastornicky and Ramiro Pena as options to make up for Uggla. Gonzalez has faith in the two players as both have seen starting time in the recent five games. Uggla's benching feels like the last straw for the Atlanta Braves, but how they move on remains the biggest question.