Uggla doesn't want to change positions
Dan Uggla(notes), being shopped by the Florida Marlins, will resist plans to move him to third base or the outfield, his agent said Friday morning.
Uggla has corner infield and outfield pop, hitting at least 31 home runs in each of the past three seasons, but his strong preference is to remain at second base, Jeff Borris said.
“Danny Uggla's been a full-time second baseman for the last four years,” he said. “He's performed exceptionally well at that position. Although he has the athleticism to play other positions, he's performed remarkably over these four years at second base and there should be no reason to consider a position change at this time.”
The Marlins are expected to trade Uggla for financial reasons. He made $5.35 million in '09 and has two more arbitration years before free agency.
Uggla has little leverage to insist on one position over another, other than the obvious benefit of a club keeping its players relatively satisfied. In four major league seasons, Uggla has not played a position other than second base. He has 121 home runs, and is the only second baseman to hit at least 30 in three consecutive seasons. Jeff Kent(notes), who hit a record 351 home runs as a second basemen, never hit 30 in back-to-back seasons.
The San Francisco Giants have shown the greatest interest in Uggla. If they wished to placate Uggla, they could move Freddy Sanchez(notes) from second to third base and Pablo Sandoval(notes) from third to first.
Also: Tony Bernazard, hung out to dry by the Mets this summer, intends to resume his front-office career in baseball. Reached at his home in Princeton, N.J. on Friday, he said: “All I know is I'm healthy,” adding with a chuckle, “and I'm not working.” Reports he'd gone to work for Scott Boras are inaccurate. … Said one AL general manager, guessing Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos will have an easier time trading Roy Halladay(notes) than did his predecessor, J.P. Ricciardi: “He won't have to win a deal outright to keep his job.” … Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen(notes) was to be married this weekend in Mexico. … Barry Bonds(notes), 45, has not filed retirement papers, despite not having played in two seasons. Why not? “Because he's not retired,” said Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris. “He was run out of the game.” … In spite of appearances (and court hearings, and crazy headlines, and the possibility they'll have to be sold in the next year or so), the Dodgers are operating as usual, according to those on the inside. They're concentrating on adding starting pitching, a second baseman and bench help. They'll likely at least talk to the Blue Jays regarding Halladay.
