Dan Uggla's future likely does not include the Atlanta Braves, but the team has yet to figure exactly how to part way with the struggling infielder. Uggla has found a new home on the bench for the Braves and showing no signs of stepping back on the field, but can the team trade him or is a release in his future and how does Atlanta replace him for the remainder of the season?
Uggla got the start on Sunday simply by default. Tyler Pastornicky was resting a sore calf muscle and the Braves had no one else. That is now the role Uggla plays on the team. The Braves made a move over the weekend that shows they are preparing to dump the second baseman. Atlanta completed a trade for utility infielder Ozzie Martinez. The Braves sent him to AAA, signifying that someone else getting moved up to fill the spot. Jose Constanza or Luis Perez are expected to join Atlanta in the near future.
Does this mean the end of Uggla? Fans hope so. The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting the Braves will not simply release Uggla. Paying him $22.1 million to disappear is a lot of cash to waste. However, Uggla has zero value on the trade market, putting the Braves in a bad situation. Right now, the team's farm system is depleted thanks to other past deals. They do not have much they can package the second baseman with other than a pitcher and that is something Atlanta cannot afford.
According to Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports, the Braves are likely going to look from within to replace Uggla for the time being. At the moment, Tommy La Stella is the best Triple-A option. He is batting .296 and while he is not a real power threat, he is the best of the farm system. Tyler Pastornicky has shown some signs of promise at the position, but is not ready to be an everyday player for the Braves. Ramiro Pena is in the same boat.
A trade is unlikely, but the Braves could try and strike a deal with the Seattle Mariners for Nick Franklin. The Mariners need a pitcher and the Braves could package in a starter like Alex Wood or Mike Minor if need be. Right now, the Mariners are showing little interest in moving Franklin, but that could change with the right offer.
Uggla is proving to be the dead weight of the Braves. He is too expensive to cut and too bad to trade. Fredi Gonzalez has to hope that someone can step up and pick up the lack of production if a move is not made soon.