Marlins talking contract extension with Dan Uggla

Agent Terry Bross said Friday that he and the Marlins are “involved” in preliminary discussions regarding a three-year deal for second baseman Dan Uggla. Uggla is currently making $7.8 million in his next-to-last year of arbitration. It looked like he was going to be traded last winter, but most of his suitors were looking at him as a third baseman and Uggla made it very clear that he wouldn’t be happy if asked to switch positions. The 30-year-old Uggla has already lasted longer at second than most thought he would. Plus, he’s currently in the midst of his best season to date, having hit .284/.372/.520 with 26 homers and 72 RBI in 113 games. A third straight 30-homer, 90-RBI season will surely push Uggla’s 2011 salary over $10 million should he and the Marlins opt for a one-year deal. Something like $30 million over three years could work out for both sides. Uggla might be able to do considerably better as a free agent if he has another banner year in 2011, but given that second basemen can decline quickly in their early-30s, he’d be smart to take the money now.