Dan Uggla
Rumors

Jayson Stark from espn.com has a new article up with plenty of off season rumors.

• Milton Bradley appears to have three different suitors: Rays, Rangers and Jays. However, Bradley is owed $21M over the remainder of his contact, so the Cubs will likely have to take on a bad contract in return.
• The Marlins had discussions about trading Dan Uggla with the Giants and Rangers.
• Rather than bid on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, the Yankees seem content to try and resign Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui.
• Derek Lowe's contract is becoming burdensome for the Braves, especially as they look to extend Javier Vazquez. They'll try to move Lowe and hope to get a hitter in return for him.
• The Phillies are considering Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa and Adrian Beltre at third base.

Johnny Damon is an off season priority for the Yankees

Recent rumors had the Marlins trying to shop all-star second baseman Dan Uggla, but as a third baseman.  While Uggla's bat has never been a problem, his defense is average at best at second base and perhaps he would be less of a liability at third base.  However, Uggla's agent has indicated that the slugging second baseman does not want to change positions.

“Danny Uggla’s been a full-time second baseman for the last four years,” agent Jeff Boris 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.” 

Keith Law of espn.com notes that Uggla has become one of the hottest names on the trade market and the Giants are one team rumored to be interested in acquiring Uggla.  Due to financial constraints, the Marlins are assumed to be interested in moving Uggla, who make $5.35M in 2009 and will likely recieve a raise in arbitration in 2010 and 2011.

Dan Uggla is not known for his defense at second base

Buster Olney's latest column has plenty of free agent and trade rumors to discuss.

• The Astros payroll is hampered by the large contract of Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt and they will only be able to make minor moves this off season.
• The Rangers inquired with the Rays about BJ Upton, but nothing very serious was discussed.
• Ryan Doumit was available at the trade deadline last year and the Pirates are still looking to move him.
• The Marlins are trying to shop Dan Uggla as a third baseman, but other teams are not buying it.

Dan Uggla is rumored to be available from the Marlins

Jayson Stark has a new column up on espn.com with a number of good rumors in it.

• The Padres are still interested in trading Jake Peavy despite their recent success. Clearly they don't believe they can sustain it. As far as Peavy is concerned the pecking order of teams he'd accept a trade to is: Dodgers, Cubs, Giants, Cardinals and Astros. Everyone is familiar with the Cubs attempts to get Peavy and word is that the Padres are reluctant to trade within their division, removing the Dodgers and giants. Peavy's friend, Roy Oswalt, has done his best to entice management to make a trade, but Peavy's hefty contract is keeping the Astros away.
• Speaking of Oswalt, a few scouts who Stark talked to said that he had "lost his edge" and could probably benefit from a change in scenery. Rumor has it that the Phillies have already inquired to Oswalt's availability.
• Philadelphia's interest/need for a pitcher is well known. Earlier in the week there were rumors that the Phillies were interested in Brad Penny of the Red Sox. Stark reports that they've also had some inquiry into the following guys: Oswalt, Peavy, Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, Doug Davis, Erik Bedard, Cliff Lee, Aaron Harang, Penny, Chris Young and Jason Marquis.
• If and when the Phillies do acquire a pitcher, they'll likely have to give up one of the following prospects whom clubs are rumored to be interested: "Lou Marson, infielder Jason Donald and pitcher Carlos Carrasco -- plus catcher Travis D'Arnaud, shortstop Freddy Galvis, pitcher Kyle Drabek and outfielder Dominic Brown."
• The Braves want to take Mark DeRosa off the Indians hands, but seem unlikely to trade some of their young starting pitching to do so.
• Rumors about Jeff Francoeur's availability and who's interested in him are all over the map, but Stark reports that the Braves are "mostly listening" at this point.
• The Mets do not appear to interested in a quick trade to replace Carlos Delgado at first.
• Jonathan Sanchez is available from the Giants...for the right bat. They've already inquired, unsuccessfully, to obtain Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu and Carlos Lee.

Let's take a spin around the baseball rumors today:

• Tom Glavine is expected to make a decision in the next day or two on whether to accept the Braves offer.  Mark Bowman of mlb.com reports that Glavine was scheduled to meet with Braves general manager Frank Wren today.
• The Yankees will not void Alex Rodriguez's contract because he admitted to steroid use in 2001-2003 while with the Texas Rangers.
• The Royals have not ruled out adding more players via free agency, but Royals general manager Dayton Moore noted that to add players, they'd have to subtract payroll in the process.
• Dan Uggla had his arbitration hearing today.  A decision is expected Thursday or Friday.
• Despite earlier rumors that the Diamondbacks are interested in bringing Juan Cruz back, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic believes that the team is unlikely to bring Cruz back because they would not get a compensation pick unless he signs with another team.
• The Blue Jays signed Kevin Millar.
• Jake Peavy says that he's happy to be staying in San Diego.
• Giants general manager Brian Sabean doesn't envision a scenario where he would trade Jonathan Sanchez.
• Brian Roberts is still trying to work out a long term extension with the Orioles.

Jayson Stark of espn.com has put together a great article that looks various arbitration cases that will either go to a hearing or possibly be resolved by the two sides before a hearing.

Ryan Howard

Howard was a landmark case last year winning his hearing and being awarded $10M for the 2008 season, so what can we expect for 2009? Stark has heard estimates that Howard will be seeking $15M-$17M from the Phillies and no one believes that Howard will sign a deal. Rumor has it that the Phillies were preparing to trade Howard this off season, but plans changed after the team won the 2009 World Series. Perhaps that only delays their trading plans until next year, but the longer they wait, the lower his trade value becomes. The last option is to continue the arbitration process until he is no longer eligible in 2011 when Howard will be 32.

Price Fielder

Fielder is seemingly a carbon copy of Howard's case in 2008, but with slightly lower accolades than Howard. Nevertheless, Fielder is a Scott Boras client which means he and the Brewers are likely heading for a hearing. Much like Howard, Fielder also seems content to go through the arbitration process until he is free in 2011 which means the Brewers have to decide whether to trade their first baseman before then.

Cole Hamels

The World Series MVP will probably be looking for $5M in arbitration, just north of what Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang ($4.6M) asked for in his first year of arbitration. While Wang lost his case and ended up with $4M, Hamels is coming off a more impressive season with better accolades. The unknown here is if the Phillies can sign Hamels before arbitration. Historically they have been unwilling to guarantee more than three years for a pitcher, but there are fewer ace-caliber starting pitchers out there and Hamels has been relatively healthy

Jonathan Papelbon

Why the Red Sox and their closer have not reached a long term agreement is anyone's guess, but either way Papelbon seems poised to become one of the highest paid relievers for his service time (three years) in history.

Kevin Youkilis

Youkilis falls into the same category as Papelbon as another Red Sox player who is surprisingly not signed long term yet. The first baseman is only two years away from unrestricted free agency, so perhaps that is his approach at this point. Youkilis made $3M in 2008 and figures to make substantially more in 2009.

Felix Hernandez

New Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik faces his first tough challenge in trying to sign Hernandez to a long term deal, something his predecessors were unable to do. With three years before he's a free agent, Hernandez has to weigh the direction of the club against a long term deal.

Dan Uggla

Uggla's arbitration case is not all that noteworthy with the exception that if he wins his case and starts to make a modest salary, he instantly becomes trade bait simply because the Marlins historically are not interested in paying anyone.

Zach Greinke

Greinke's case is similar to Hernandez in that he needs to decide if the Royals are going in the right direction and that's a team he wants to sign a long term deal with or wait out free agency. 

Justin Verlander

This is another case that is not all that interesting on the surface, but depends on the direction of the team.  If the Tigers do not contend, general manager Dave Dombrowski may try to blow things up and restart and that would likely mean trading Verlander.

Yesterday, a respected scout offered his take on the many players whom the Marlins could potentially trade this off season in the wake of the 18 arbitration cases that need to be settled.  Today, in his blog, Buster Olney suggested that the Marlins are unlikely to move Dan Uggla but could easily be persuaded to deal Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen or Kevin Gregg.

Mike Berardino of the Florida Sun-Sentinal recently talked with a scout about players on the Marlins roster who are potentially available in trades.  Let's take a look at the review:

• Jeremy Hermida: "No passion for the game"
• Kevin Gregg: "Knee problems you have to worry about...He's not a closer.  Not for me."
• Josh Willingham: "Those back problems are a huge issue."
• Scott Olsen: "I see plenty of upside there."
• Mike Jacobs: "It would help if you could DH him half the time."
• Dan Uggla: "That bat makes up for a lot of other stuff."
• Alfredo Amezaga: "An interesting guy."

The Marlins will reportedly put up the cash to allow the team to maintain many of it's arbitration eligible players if they want to.  Espn.com's Buster Olney is reporting that, with regard to Dan Uggla, "It appears very unlikely they will deal Uggla and others, as they are poised to be the Rays of 2009." 

However, other reports have surfaced recently that mention the Angels would be interested in Uggla if they are unable to retain Mark Teixeira and that the Giants consider Uggla a good fit for their team.

Let's review the news and notes from this past weekend in baseball:

• The Giants are looking for a bat such as Dan Uggla, Paul Konerko and Derrick Lee and would likely need to move Jonathan Sanchez or Main Cain.
• Michael Barrett opted for free agency.
• Good chat with As general manager Billy Beane.
• Another chat with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.
• The Indians seem poised to pick up Jamey Carroll's 2009 option. 
• Baseball America ranks the 2008 draft classes by the amount of money spent on the picks.
• A pitching expert sees Chan Ho Park as a rebound candidate for 2009.