Dan Uggla Trade Rumors

Over the past few weeks the Giants have been linked to multiple trade rumors with Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins. While Dan Uggla is a fantastic baseball player, the Giants do not need to trade Jonathon Sanchez for him.

Jonathon is a young, talented pitcher that the Giants do not want to part ways with. He has ability to strike out the best hitters in the National League on a regular basis, the only thing he lacks is consistency. Also the Giants are short on Starting Pitching. With Brad Penny leaving through Free Agency, Madison Bumgarner is penciled in as the #5 starter. If a injury, or poor start by any starting pitcher occurs then the Giants have only 1 or 2 pitchers in the Minors that could step in and have a decent chance of throwing a good game.

Dan Uggla's strength is power. Over the past 3 seasons, Uggla has batted .249, averaging 31 home runs per year. Moving to AT&T park, those home run totals are sure to decrease. The Giants have an mindset based on small ball, and defense. Uggla is not a small ball type player. Defensively is he not that great either.

Another problem the Giants would have is that Dan Uggla is a second baseman. A trade for Uggla would mean Freddy Sanchez would have to move to third, and Pablo Sandoval would move to first. Pablo is a better defensively as a third baseman, than a first baseman. Also Sanchez would move to third base, where he hasn't played in years, and would be forced to adjust to a unnatural position.

Financially this wouldn't be a great deal either. Dan Uggla is in an arbitration year, and his salary is expected to sky rocket. If the deal turns out to be only a one year contract, then a trade could be a one year rent-a-player situation. Brian Sabean has said he does not want to be in that type of situation.

Still, Uggla is an offensive force that could put thump into the Giants lineup. He is an all-star, and is a top offensive producer from the second base position. He also finished 9th in the NL in walks, a stat the Giants desperately need to improve. However, the Giants do not the pitching depth to trade Jonathon Sanchez for Uggla. If a trade could be worked out involving multiple, non elite prospects for Uggla then the Giants would have a bat in the lineup that can produce runs.