The Marlins have agreed to a 1-year $7.8MM deal with Dan Uggla, avoiding what could have been an ugly arbitration hearing (aren’t they all?). Despite the edict to spend more money, the Fish are apparently still shopping Uggla around. But, at this point, it’s very likely that Uggla will be the opening day second baseman.

Well, they didn’t throw punches but Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla got into a nasty fight before today’s game and it all centered around Hanley’s hamstring.

From the Sun-Sentinel:

“A couple of the guys did like this when I came out,” said Ramirez, throwing his arms up in the air. “I’m not happy with the team.”

Overhearing Ramirez, Uggla chimed in: “I was one of them.”

Addressing the reporter, Ramirez answered: “You got it. Showed me up.”

From that point, Ramirez and Uggla continued exchanging barbs. The altercation never escalated beyond the verbal back-and-forth, but they were shouting by the time manager Fredi Gonzalez emerged and politely asked the three reporters present to vacate the clubhouse about three minutes after the argument began.

On one hand, if a couple of the guys questioned Hanley, you have to wonder if there’s more to it. Remember, Hanley has been called out before for not hustling. On the other hand, you don’t show off a teammate like that and it didn’t seem like anyone complained 14 at-bats ago when Hanley was still hitting.

Perhaps we’re just seeing frustrations from the recent losses and rapidly declining playoff chances. Today’s effort will tell us whether the team is about to give up or can use this as catalyst to turn things around.

The Marlins called up Gaby Sanchez to take up Andrew Miller’s roster spot. This could mean bad news for Emilio Bonifacio or Dan Uggla or it could just be nothing more than a call-up.

Looks like Chris Coghlan is on his way to the Majors. Coghlan will take Anibal Sanchez’s spot on the roster and will likely play second, third and outfield. The Fish need to kick start their offense and some of the biggest gaps are at second (Uggla), third (Bonifacio) and the entire outfield.

Good news for Dan Uggla — has has prevailed in his arbitration hearing and was awarded $5.35MM, $900K more than the Marlins were offering.

The Marlins were able to close the gap with Ricky Nolasco, Alfredo Amezaga and Cody Ross.

Florida reached agreement on a one-year deal with Ricky Nolasco early Tuesday afternoon, according to a baseball source.

The 26-year-old right-hander will earn $2.4 million, plus he can earn another $50,000 in incentives. The sides had been about $200,000 apart in recent days. Locking up Nolasco means both sides avoid an arbitration hearing.

And…

The Marlins have avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Cody Ross, who agreed to a 1-year deal for $2,225,000 shortly before Tuesday’s noon deadline.

That leaves Dan Uggla unsigned. Uggla has put up monster numbers in his first three years and rightfully believes he will get a huge number in arbitration.

Update: Uggla wants $5.35 million