The future of Dan Uggla

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla is putting together a pretty nice season, considering he is coming into an arbitration year. Uggla was the subject of trade talks last season, but instead, was rewarded with a 5.35 million dollar contract.

Despite a disappointing average, Uggla has put up solid power numbers up to this point in the season.

Michael Jong of Marlin Maniac has some pretty nice analysis on Uggla and why he will likely receive upwards of 7 million dollars in arbitration this offseason. 

For many hitters, .240 is bad. But for high power-patience hitters, .240 can be representative of a solid season. Now of course, Uggla isn’t Adam Dunn or even Jack Cust in terms of walking, so he does need more of a .260 average to put an excellent wOBA up. But even at a .240 average, Uggla has a .355 OBP and a .447 SLG, which has been good for a .351 wOBA and almost nine runs above average offensively, without adjusting for home park.

Uggla is hitting .339 in the month of August, with a .292 average and 6 home runs since the All-Star break. With no legitimate options a on the free agent market at second base, the likelihood they hold onto Uggla for the 2010 season increases. However, a large handful of Marlins are arbitration-eligible this offseason, and some could be moved to keep payroll down.

The Nationals could be a possible landing spot for Uggla. Slotting Uggla in front of Dunn in that lineup could have a major impact on the hitters around them. While Uggla's BABIP is low, in large part to a poor start of the season, he would see a lot of good pitches in front of Dunn, which would put them in position to generate runs.