MLB Trade Rumors 2014: Atlanta Braves Reportedly Shopping Dan Uggla After Lackluster Start in 2014
The Atlanta Braves are reportedly shopping Dan Uggla after the second baseman failed to live up to expectations in his first 29 games this season.
Uggla, who has been a defensive liability for the Braves in his first three seasons in Atlanta, has also become an offensive liability, averaging just .184 this season.
Uggla's well-documented struggle this season has forced the Braves to look for other options, giving more time to Ramiro Pena and Tyler Pastornicky. The Braves have taken Uggla out of their starting lineup, an indication that the team is ready to move on without the 34-year-old veteran.
Uggla is not drawing significant interest on the trade front mainly because of his expensive contract as he is set to receive $26 million from 2014 to 2016, but Inquistr reported that the Toronto Blue Jays or the Seattle Mariners could become interested in acquiring Uggla.
Sources indicated that the Braves and the Blue Jays could strike a trade involving Uggla and Toronto's opening day second baseman Ryan Goins, who was recently demoted to AAA.
An Uggla-for-Goins trade clearly favors the Braves, but sources said that the Blue Jays could agree to the deal if the Braves offer a young pitcher in the deal.
"Ryan Goins has also been demoted to AAA and could be a potential return piece for the Braves. Goins struggled offensively for the Blue Jays but is just 26 and, if the Braves offered up pitching in return, could convince the Blue Jays to get a deal done," Inquistr noted.
The Mariners are also considered as a potential trade partner for the Braves, but Atlanta will have to package more assets aside from Uggla to convince Seattle to take Uggla's contract.
The Mariners are not in need for a second baseman with Robinson Cano manning the position and backed up by young prospect Nick Franklin, but they could also consider taking Uggla if he will be packaged with a pitching prospect or an outfielder.
"Seattle has done an excellent job of getting the most out of their money, so it would be unlikely that they would take on Uggla's contract. However, if the Braves were to offer up a young pitching prospect and outfield depth, the Mariners could be interested," Inquistr noted.