MLB Rumors: Marlins NOT Interested In a Dan Uggla Reunion

Dan Uggla was unconditionally released from his contract with the Atlanta Braves on Friday afternoon and immediate worry came to the Marlins fanbase that the Marlins front office would be interested in bringing him back for a second stint with the team.

Fortunately, that does not seem to be the case, as Joe Frisaro of Marlins.com tweeted that he’d be surprised to see Uggla back with the Marlins, shortly after news of the Uggla release hit the internet:

The same sentiment was further echoed by the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer in a column from last night:

"The Braves released Dan Uggla on Friday, but don’t expect the Marlins to seek a reunion with their former second baseman. Uggla’s numbers have taken a nosedive over the past 1 1/2 seasons, forcing him out of his starting job.After Uggla clears waivers and becomes a free agent, any acquiring team would only be responsible to pay him the league minimum. The Braves would be on the hook for the rest of the $18 million still owed to him through 2015.The Marlins have stated an interest in obtaining a fast second baseman, and Uggla is not that."

Uggla is clearly not the same player that he was in his final season with the Marlins, when he topped Hanley Ramirez in FWAR (Fangraphs WAR) for the season. That season, Uggla posted a .287/.369/.508 slash line with a .382 wOBA, 33 home runs, and a 4.5 WAR. That season still remains as the banner year for Uggla’s career.

Shortly after the season, the Marlins offered Uggla a 4-year extension, which he rejected. Uggla was then shipped to the Braves for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn and was able to coup that 5th year in an extension with the Braves.

The Braves decided to release Uggla after he lost his starting job and had posted a .162/.241/.231 slash line with just 2 home runs. This after he posted a .179/.309/.362 slash line last season and was left off the post-season roster.

Fret not Marlins fans, this natural disaster does not seem to be headed Miami’s way.