The Woes of Uggla

     Owners that drafted Dan Uggla this season thought they were getting the most consistent power source at the second base position for the last 5 years. He seemed like a guaranteed 30 home runs, which he had done the last four seasons. Many owners, including myself, thought the move from Florida to Atlanta would help his RBI totals because he would be in a better lineup with more protection. Well it just hasn't happened for him this season and is on pace for the worst season of his career. He has the worst batting average in the National League for players who qualify and is in the midst of a 6-65 slump.

"His biggest problem," said one scout, "is he's not getting his front foot down, so he's got a timing issue. And now he's pressing."

He looks awful," said another scout. "Every ball down in the zone is a 6-3 or a 4-3. And it's becoming psychological."

     I'm not in the boat that believes you should cut Uggla if you're an owner. If you don't own him and he's on another team go ahead and try to get him for dirt cheap. There are no options in the free agent pool that excite me and you have to believe that he'll get his timing down based on his track record. Look at it as who will be better for you from now until the season's end. Forget about season stats to date. Will the better play be a free agent like Gordon Beckham (owned in 68% ESPN.com leagues) or Orlando Cabrera (owned in 43.9 ESPN.com league), or will it be Uggla. Even with Uggla's awful season, he still has given better RBI and home run numbers. Be patient with him, he could be the difference at a position that is scarce in power.