The Braves' new manager, Fredi Gonzalez, coached the Braves' new 2B Dan Uggla when they were in Florida. You'd think he knows better than anyone how to manage Uggla. Well, thus far in 2011, our stud offensive weapon is in a two-month slump. 

But he doesn't have to be. 

In his career, batting 4th in just 88 games, Uggla has hit .300 with 22 HRs and 61 RBIs. His walk to Ks ratio is better there too. At that rate over 162 games, he'd hit 40 homers with 114 RBIs. 

In 313 games, batting out of the 5th spot, Uggla has hit a meager .237 with only 52 homers and 174 RBIs. At that rate over 162, he'd hit 27 homers with 90 RBIs. 

If the choice isn't obvious enough, this year--easily the worst start of his career--when batting 4th, Uggla has a .359 avg, 3 of his 7 homers and has nine walks to six Ks in 11 games. In 38 games batting 5th this year, Uggla owns a .139 avg, 4 HRs and 35 Ks to just 9 BBs. 

For the love of Ted Turner, if we're gonna have any offense this year, please make Dan Uggla our clean-up hitter! Stop giving him days off and putting him in stupid slots in the line-up. Brian McCann--God bless 'em--ain't a clean-up hitter. (McCann's numbers are better from the 5th spot too.) 

They say it's insane to do the same thing over and over then expect different results. I think Dan Uggla would agree.

(UPDATE: In the 86 games after the Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez last year, Dan Uggla hit .305 with 17 doubles, 19 homers, 64 RBI and 50 runs scored. His career year came largely after Fredi left. Food for thought...)