Nationals sign Dan Uggla to minor league contract

The Washington Nationals added another second baseman to the mix, signing Dan Uggla to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

A three-time All-Star, Uggla averaged 32 home runs and 91 RBI from 2006-2011. He split the 2014 season between the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants.

The 34-year-old's decline began in 2012, when he hit just .220. In 2013, Uggla batted .179 in 448 at-bats and in 2014, was released by the Braves in July after hitting .162 in 48 games with just two home runs.

He was signed by the Giants days later, but played in just four games before being released, going 0-for-11 with the team.

Atlanta owes Uggla $13 million in 2015, the final season of a five-year, $62 million extension signed prior to the 2011 season.

The Nationals have been in the market for a second baseman after watching Asdrubal Cabrera go as a free agent. Danny Espinosa had been the presumed starter heading into 2015, though he's hit just .200 over the past two seasons. At the very least, Uggla should provide competition for the 27-year-old Espinosa in spring training.

Uggla was selected by the Florida Marlins from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2005 Rule 5 draft and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2006, hitting .282 with 27 homers and 90 RBI. He was traded to the Braves after the 2010 season.