Marlins deal Uggla to Braves

Power-hitting second baseman Dan Uggla was dealt from the Florida Marlins to the Atlanta Braves yesterday for infielder Omar Infante and lefthander Mike Dunn in the first trade of the general managers' meetings.

A two-time All-Star, Uggla hit .287 with 33 homers and 105 RBIs last season and had been discussing a contract extension with Florida. He made $7.8 million this year, is eligible for salary arbitration and can become a free agent after the 2011 World Series.

"We're satisfied he's here for one year," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He's a kind of guy we'd like to make long-term."

The trade reunites Uggla with former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, hired by the Braves to succeed Bobby Cox.

Infante was a first-time All-Star who hit a career-high .321 with eight homers and 47 RBIs. Dunn was 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in 25 games in his rookie season.

Buck, Marlins closeA person familiar with the negotiations said All-Star catcher John Buck and the Marlins are close to agreement on a three-year, $18-million contract. Buck hit .281 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs for the Blue Jays . . . Jake Westbrook will stay with the Cardinals, agreeing to a two-year deal. The righthander was acquired from Cleveland on July 31 and was 4-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 12 starts for St. Louis.

Watson retiring

Bob Watson will retire at the end of the year as baseball's vice president in charge of discipline.

The 64-year-old Watson was a two-time All-Star as a player. He became the first black general manager to win a World Series title, with the Yankees in 1996.

- AP