Dan Uggla released by Atlanta Braves
By Brad Rowland
It’s official.
The Braves have released 2B Dan Uggla. A corresponding roster move will be made prior to tonight's game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 18, 2014
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Update: We have confirmation on the release from MLB’s Mark Bowman:
Multiple sources have confirmed @Ken_Rosenthal's report that the #Braves are releasing Uggla. He'll pass through waivers and then be a FA
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 18, 2014
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After weeks of speculation, the Atlanta Braves have reportedly made the move that much of Braves Country has been begging them to make. They have decided to release Dan Uggla.
Hearing #Braves are releasing Dan Uggla
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 18, 2014
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (and it has been confirmed by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports) that Uggla will be DFA’d or outright released prior to the game on Friday evening, and this move has been a long time coming. The biggest obstacle was always the $13 million salary owed to Uggla for the 2015 season, but with Fredi Gonzalez unwilling and/or unable to utilize the 34-year-old second baseman in any meaningful role and Tommy La Stella emerging as a legitimate option at second base, this was the only move to make.
After combining to achieve 5.5 fWAR in his first two seasons, Dan Uggla has fallen off the table completely, hitting .179 with porous defense last season and bottoming out with a .162/.241/.231 slash line in 145 plate appearances in 2014. It is entirely possible that Frank Wren exhausted the whole of options with regard to trying to move Uggla for anything, and with nothing else to do, the veteran second baseman will now be on the unemployment line.
Stay tuned.