Last week, the Florida Marlins traded fan favorite, second baseman, Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn.
When I checked the Florida Marlins’ Web page to confirm that it was true and saw the headline, “Infante, Dunn come to Marlins in Uggla deal,” my heart wrenched.
Some people criticize the Marlins for trading their star playing for a bunch of prospects. While I don’t disagree, there is more to this trade than that. This time, the Marlins had a strategy.
Since joining the team in 2006, Uggla averaged a .263 batting average, 152 strikeouts per season, and committed 18 errors — a league high by a second baseman last season.
Uggla had undeniable power. He hit at least 27 home runs each season, he broke the Marlins’ all-time record for home runs with 154, and most importantly, he was a fan favorite.
However, this does not mean that Uggla runs the Marlins front office’s show. He was offered a 4-year, $48 million contract from the Marlins, but he wanted a 5-year, $71 million contract instead. So, the Marlins did what many small market teams must do ― they traded away a fan favorite for a player worth less money and with more value to the team.
Many forget that Omar Infante is a great utility man, playing every position last year except pitcher, catcher and first base. Infante committed only seven errors at second base and hit for a career-high .321 batting average last season.
The Marlins will position Infante at second base and bat him in either the leadoff spot-on in the batting order or second. Infante will bring better defense to a team that is plagued by poor defense.
In the trade, the Marlins also addressed their biggest concern from last season, the bullpen. The bullpen was as reliable as a cup with a hole on the bottom. The team addressed the issue by acquiring left-handed relief pitcher Mike Dunn.
Last season, Dunn only pitched 19.0 innings, but when he did pitch he was lights out, recording a 1.89 Earned Run Average. Dunn will bring much- needed help to the Marlins’ bullpen this season.
With the team unsure of whether catcher John Baker will return from a season-ending elbow injury that may require surgery, they also signed catcher John Buck.
The team is being proactive. They are looking to make the last season in the house Joe Robbie built, Sun Life Stadium, a memorable one until they move into their own stadium.
With players like Omar Infante, Chris Coughlan, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison, John Buck and either Emilio Bonifacio or prospect Matt Dominguez, the team has a possible starting rotation that could compete with division rival the Philadelphia Phillies.
At the end of the day, the Marlins are doing anything but destroying their team. They set themselves up to be serious contenders, not only next season, but in the years to come.
