Dan Uggla’s Big Pay Day – New Contract

Dan Uggla is going to cash in on a big payday.

How much will he be earning is the big question mark.

It was decided on Tuesday that the Marlins second baseman will be hitting $5.35 million this 2009.

Uggala was seeking the said amount, and the Marlins countered him with $4.4 million. In that instance, Uggala’s salary went to an arbitration hearing Wednesday in Arizona. The three arbitrators was forced to decide on to which of the amounts the All Star would be receiving.

The Marlins could have kept their negotiations with Uggla’s agent, Jeff Borris until the hearings began. But the team followed their policy to stop these kinds of talks if no agreement has been made after the said deadline.

“You never want to go to a hearing, win or lose,” Borris said. “You try to settle, but the Marlins have a policy. … Bottom line is the team is trying to make the best deal for them, and you can’t fault them for that. And the player is looking for the best deal for him, and you can’t fault him for that.”
Finding a resolution on this matter in a hearing is not a primary option, since by nature of the said arguments, derogatory compliments and other side comments are mostly conceived. In this regard, the Marlins and Uggla repeatedly said while going to the meeting, is but a business transaction.
Uggla said during the Marlins’ club caravan and Fan Fest last week, that there are no hard feelings. The Marlins felt the very same thing. In that same event, team president David Samson said in a town hall meeting that Uggla was deserving of the amount of money that he requested.

With the issue resolved, Uggla and the rest of the position players are expected for their first workout on Tuesday while Pitchers and catchers will begin on Saturday.

Spring Training will be opening its doors this Saturday at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter Florida.

Uggla, who in 2008 reaped 32 home runs and fellow All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez had 33, are the club’s top players, thus forming one of the most prolific middle-infield combinations in the Major Leagues.
Last year, he (Uggla) also set his personal high with 92 RBIs along with a .260 batting average with a .514 slugging average.

Uggla was voted twice as a reserve in the All-Star Game. He was picked as a rookie last 2006 and 2008.
As a Rule 5 Draft pick in December 2005, Uggla has become a stalwart image due to his history of making it into the big league, having steady numbers for a second baseman, garnering 90 home runs in his three seasons in MLB.

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