"Dan Uggla and the Braves have said numerous times they wanted to have more than a one-year relationship. It appears the two sides are now moving even closer to realizing their wish.

The Braves and Uggla hadn't reached any contractual agreements late Thursday afternoon. But there is now some further indications that the two sides are nearing an agreement that would keep the All-Star second baseman in Atlanta beyond the 2011 season.

Uggla met with new Braves hitting coach Larry Parrish at Turner Field on Thursday morning and then began driving back to his Nashville-area home without discussing a potential new contract with general manager Frank Wren or any other member of the organization.

When asked to comment on speculation that he was close to signing a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Braves, Uggla said that he couldn't "comment on anything right now."

Since acquiring Uggla from the Marlins last month, the Braves have had multiple conversations with the second baseman's agent, Terry Bross.

Terms of the previous offers were never revealed. But it's believed Uggla is seeking a five-year contract with an annual average salary in the neighborhood of $12 million. He would be eligible to enter the free-agent market at the end of the 2011 season.

From the moment he acquired Uggla, Wren seemed confident that he would be able to secure him beyond next season. His confidence was strengthened by the fact that the 30-year-old veteran had a desire to stay in Atlanta for more than one season.

"I'm very interested in staying here for longer than just a year," Uggla said when he was officially introduced by the Braves on Nov. 19. "