Over the weekend, Ken Rosenthal from Foxsports floated a rumor that the Braves had some "mild" interest in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. Now we hear from Dave O'Brien from the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
The Braves probably have at least $7 million left in their budget, maybe closer to $9 million (they won’t say exactly) and are still considering adding another hitter, possibly a left fielder (Xavier Nady?) who can also play first base. Or maybe a second baseman (slugger Dan Uggla?), if they decide Martin Prado could still be in the lineup regularly at a mix of positions. The Braves could use Cabrera or another outfielder in a trade for Uggla or another slugger.
Adding Cabrera to an outfield that includes Matt Diaz, Nate McLouth, Jordan Schafer and super-prospect Jason Heyward, the Braves do seem to have an abundance of outfielders, but none that can hit for consistent power. Offering Cabrera to the Marlins for Dan Uggla would reduce the logjam in the outfield and add the power bat that the Braves sorely need.
Should the Braves deal for Uggla, he would play second base and hit 5th behind Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, or Bobby Cox could split them up against lefthanders and bat Uggla 4th.
Cabrera would probably play left field for the Marlins until their super prospect Michael Stanton is ready, which will probably be in 2011 at the earliest. With rightfielder Cody Ross eligible for arbitration in 2010, the Marlins could trade Ross at the July 31st trade deadline or after the 2010 season. Dealing Uggla would also allow the Marlins to move Chris Coghlan to second base, a position he played in the minors. The Marlins have been quick to trade their arbitration eligible players in recent years, and I don't see them changing their stance in Ross' case.