Dan Uggla?

I just finished reading the article on mlbtraderumors about Uggla and was thinking, “hmm…wonder if Ed Wade is going to make a play for him?”.

You have think Wade has an offer out there or is at least considering the idea. Wade has even said that offense will be a priority, and considering how neither Manzella (nor anyone else at SS) really came across as a sure thing last season, Uggla would be an instant offensive boost to the lineup. The problems that I can see are:

A) What position does Uggla play when he comes over (2B or 3B)? Are Chris Johnson and Jeff Keppinger long term solutions or merely stop gaps until better players (like Uggla) come along?

B) Even though the Astros could afford to pay his salary, is Uggla a good choice for a team that’s not yet ready to compete?

C) Who are we giving up in return?

I think he would make sense at second, whil Keppinger platoons with a low cost free agent at short.

Forgot to mention that he’s 30 years old, and this is definitely his prime.

Sure, I would like Uggla as the Astros’ 2d baseman. But, no, I would not put Keppinger at shortstop. Keppinger’s defense is just not good enough for shortstop. (Keppinger’s best position probably is 3d base; he really is not a good fielding 2d baseman, which means he is unacceptable at shortstop.) Maybe Keppinger would have to be sent to the Marlins in a trade for Uggla.

I think the Marlins are likely to ask for a good prospect plus a major league player in exchange for Uggla. Whether it is a good idea depends on whom those players might be. The Marlins need a major league ready CFer, but I doubt that the Astros have a CFer who is good enough for them (unless perhaps the Astros include Bourn in the trade). The second issue is whether the Astros can sign him to an extension, and if so, whether it will be affordable. Uggla will be a free agent after next year, and it’s not worth trading for him if you can’t sign him to an extension. On the other hand, Uggla apparently insists on a 4 year contract in his negotiations with the Marlins, and I’m not sure I want Uggla if he costs, say, 4/48 million.

months ago, but the real need is shortstop rather than second base.

Off the top of my head I think the Marlins offered 4 years $48m (one of those years would replace his final arbitration year, 2011).

I say let’s go for it: Kepp, Bogey or Shuck, and a bullpen guy for Uggla

While Uggla might be the middle order bat the Astros are lacking, I’ve got to believe the Marlins will want something like Norris and then some (low cost, team controlled), and then you kick in what Uggla will get from arbitration this season: probably $10m.

N.B. his defense also stinks. Lee + Uggla = worst right side of infield ever.

He would provide a big shot in the arm for the offense. However, there are a lot of "ifs". What do the Marlins want for him? What kind of money/years would he demand for a contract extension? Will he sign one upon being traded or will he want to test free agency?

If the price is too steep, no thanks.

One thing to note, trading for Uggla would make signing a player like Carl Crawford more palatable, since Uggla would provide plus power from a middle infield position. It would be a "win now" maneuver in line with David’s thinking in his post the other day, so if we did trade for him, I hope it would not be the only move.

A batting order with Bourn, Crawford, Uggla, Pence, Wallace or Lee, CJ, Juan Uribe, and Jason Castro looks like, actually, an above average offense.

That would also likely put the payroll back over $100M and I don’t know if Drayton wants to spend that much.

Per Buster Olney: http://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/4289505217478656

The asking price doesn’t appear to be all that high. I think Wade would be doing his due diligence to at least kick the tires on Uggla.

My only problem with Uggla is his poor defense at 2B.

And I don’t mind giving up some players to get him, but it seems like he will just be a rental. But there is still an argument for it. We might be able to deal him at the deadline if we’re out of it (90% chance of that) and get better players than the ones we gave up for him (like the Mariners with Lee). Also he’ll be a type A free agent which is good as long as Heck is still around to make the picks and if we hang on to him. I would like to extend him if it were for 3 years but that’s not happening. I would go up to 4 but that didn’t work for the Marlins, and I think what they offered was about the max I would offer. Maybe he’d like Houston better since there’s no Hanley, so maybe he’d take it here, who knows.

What would you be willing to part with for one year of Uggla? I would do it only costs guys like Shuck, Clemens, Steele, relievers, Keppinger, or an unsignable Wandy (he would probably be a type A too, so draft picks would be a wash if they both hit free agency).

Most likely it’s not worth it. I still think the Astros should aim for a SS that will be here for 2 or 3 seasons until we can realistically expect one of our prospects to be ready and then see how things play out 2011. The only way they are going to compete is if Myers doesn’t fall off too much, Wandy pitches the way he can, Happ is solid, and Norris and Paulino keep moving forward and turn Happ into the number 5. If the starters have a first half like last year’s second half, then I would look for some bats at the deadline. I just don’t want to spend our MLB currency on putting gas in a wrecked car.

For super-utility man Omar Infante and Mike Dunn, a young, promising lefty relief pitcher.