Washington Nationals sign Dan Uggla to minor league deal
By Jake Misener
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a minor league deal with former Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who, after emerging as one of the most potent offensive middle infielders in the game, tailed off and struggled in recent years.
The team announced the move on Twitter, and it adds an interesting dimension to a team that has been expected to contend for a World Series of late, but has repeatedly fallen short of that goal, despite the likes of Jordan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg all playing integral – albeit different – roles for the club.
Last season, Uggla’s decline worsened, eventually leading to his release from Atlanta, with whom he batted just .162/.241/.231 in 145 plate appearances. Three days after being released by the Braves, Uggla joined the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants, appearing in just four games, in which he went hitless. On the year, the veteran infielder hit just two home runs – another troubling sign for Uggla, who hit at least 30 home runs a season from 2007 to 2011, including a career-high 36 in 2011.
In 2013, his last full season of work, Uggla batted .179/.309/.362 in 136 games, adding 22 home runs and driving in 55 runs. For Washington, he represents a potential impact bat at a buy-low price, which is helpful given the team’s relative lack of depth at the second base position – with just Danny Espinosa and utilityman Kevin Frandsen currently vying for the spot.
Uggla, a three-time All-Star, is still being paid a hefty sum thanks to the contract extension he signed with Atlanta – $13 million in 2015 – which means, should he bounce back and prove to be a thorn in Atlanta’s side, the Nationals could really come out on top in this low-risk move. At the very least, it’s another option for a team that is looking to make a run at the Fall Classic once again in 2015.