Dan Uggla's career took a new turn Friday when he signed a free-agent deal with the Washington Nationals. It's a gamble for the Nats on a journeyman infielder whose weak hitting all but chased him from baseball.
A three-time All-Star second baseman, Uggla signed a minor league contract and got a ticket to spring training with the Nationals, according to their announcement. Call it a calculated risk for both team and player.
MORE: New faces, new places | SN's rookie honorees | Worst free-agent deals
Nats brass was busy handling out late Christmas presents Friday. In addition to signing Uggla, the team cut deals with closer Heath Bell, right-handers Scott McGregor and Mitch Lively and first baseman Clint Robinson. All those were minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training, according to The Washington Post.
Uggla, 34, finished his 2014 season with the San Francisco Giants, who wanted to assign him to their Class AAA affiliate. Instead, he rejected the move and became a free agent. The Giants went on to win the World Series without him.
Uggla was Sporting News' NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 when he broke in with the Florida Marlins. He joined the Atlanta Braves in 2011 but was released by them in July. He didn't last long with the Giants. He was hitless in 11 at-bats over four games.
Hitting proved a problem for Uggla, whose combined average the past two seasons was .177. He has 266 career home runs over nine seasons, but his batting average is .243.
The Nats reportedly are seeking a second baseman, with Asdrubal Cabrera having left in free agency. Also on the roster: reserves Kevin Frandsen and Danny Espinosa. The Nats also announced the signing of third baseman Ian Stewart on Friday.
Reports suggest Espinosa is the frontrunner for the job.
Uggla remains on the Braves' payroll and is due $13 million in the final season of a five-year, $62 million contract he signed before 2011.
Contributing: Steven J. Gaither