The Atlanta Braves made the big roster move that many have speculated about for months on Friday afternoon, announcing they have granted high-priced second baseman Dan Uggla his unconditional release. Uggla will pass through waivers and become an unrestricted free agent.
The announcement comes four seasons into the five-year contract he signed with the Atlanta franchise in 2011, most of which has been defined by his decreased production both at the plate and in the field.
Uggla played 499 games in a Braves uniform, hitting .209/.317/.391 with 79 home runs and 535 strikeouts after signing a $62 million deal. Since the start of the 2013 season, he has played below replacement level in nearly 700 plate appearances.
The move to eliminate Uggla from the roster, while expected after he was benched in early May for the combination of infielders Ramiro Pena, Tyler Pastornicky and, ultimately, rookie Tommy La Stella, does not come without a cost for the Braves. They still owe the former All-Star more than $7 million in 2014 and $13 million in 2015.
Braves general manager Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez are expected to meet with media members at 4:15 p.m.
http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/braves-release-struggling-second-baseman-dan-uggla-071814
