Braves Acquire Slugger Uggla From Marlins

By Justin Worsley

The Florida Marlins have traded second baseman Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Michael Dunn and infielder Omar Infante.

Uggla, 30 batted .287 last season with 33 home runs and 105 RBIs. Pitchers also avoided the slugger at times, Uggla drew 78 walks this season.

While Florida loses a slugger in Uggla, Infante is a contact hitter. His .321 batting average was the third-best in the National League last season, however, he only hit eight homers.

Dunn, a southpaw, went 2-0 last season as a relief pitcher with a 1.87 ERA and 27 strikeouts.

Uggla recently won his first Silver Slugger award and was named to the 2006 and 2008 All Star teams. Infante was named to this years All Star squad.

With Chipper Jones sidelined with a torn ACL, the Braves needed to provide a slugger in their lineup who can also play the infield while they await Jones' return. Uggla is expected to play second base while Michael Prado and Freddie Freeman splitting time at third.

Uggla will be the second person from last year's Opening Day roster from Florida to join the Braves. Manager Freddi Gonzalez replaced retired manager Bobby Cox last month.