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When Alberto Callaspo was a late scratch for Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, speculation was rampant that a trade was in the works. It turns out the rumors were correct. Callaspo has reportedly been traded to the Dodgers in a six-player deal.

Continue for updates.

Callaspo Reportedly to Be Traded to Dodgers

Tuesday, May 26

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported the Braves and Dodgers have agreed to a six-player trade involving Callaspo and Juan Uribe, pending league approval. 

Rosenthal elaborated on more trade details:

Earlier in the day, the Atlanta Journal-Consitution‘s David O’Brien reported Callaspo exercised his right to veto a trade that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I signed my contract here and I just want to finish my season here,” Callaspo said before Tuesday’s game, per Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan.

Callaspo was able to veto the trade because he was an offseason signing. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, players who sign contracts in the winter retain veto rights until June 15. The Braves could choose to acquiesce to Callaspo’s wishes, wait until after June 15 to trade him or designate him for assignment.

Rosenthal reported that Callaspo did indeed agree to waive his right to reject a trade. 

Callaspo, 32, is hitting .206/.293/.252 with one home run and eight RBI this season. He’s due a $3 million salary for the 2015 season, which is half of what Uribe is making. A utility infielder, Callaspo has largely played third base while the Braves await starter Chris Johnson’s return to the lineup.

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The Atlanta Braves‘ busy offseason continued Tuesday as they reached an agreement to sign infielder Alberto Callaspo to an undisclosed deal.    

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez confirmed Jim Bowden of ESPN’s initial report to MLB Network Radio:

The 31-year-old Callaspo is a nine-year MLB veteran who has spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics.

He is a versatile player who has filled in at every position except catcher, pitcher and center field at the MLB level. Most of his appearances have come at third base and second base. Robbie Rosenhaus of 92.9 The Game speculates that he will play the latter role in Atlanta:

Callaspo has hit .300 or better in a season twice, but he is coming off his worst MLB campaign after hitting just .223 with four home runs and 39 RBI in 127 games for the A’s in 2014.

With that in mind, Matthew Pouliot of Rotoworld.com believes Callaspo will simply keep the seat warm for prospect Jose Peraza:

Whatever the case, Callaspo figures to be a useful player for the Braves due to his ability to contribute almost everywhere on the diamond.

He certainly won’t be the key factor in terms of whether Atlanta returns to the postseason in 2015, but he could help the cause.

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According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter), the Kansas City Royals have traded Alberto Callaspo to the Los Angeles Angels for RHP Sean O’Sullivan and minor league LHP Will Smith.  Let’s take a quick look at the winners from the deal:

Los Angeles Angels

They have been using Maicer Izturis, Brandon Wood ,and Kevin Frandsen at 3B, so needless to say this is an upgrade for them.  

Callaspo is currently hitting .275 with 8 HR, 43 RBI, 40 R and 3 SB in 349 AB.  He’s primarily hit fifth or sixth for the Royals, though I don’t see him filling that role in L.A.  There’s a chance he could see time hitting second, should Brandon Wood struggle, otherwise he’ll hit seventh or eighth.

There’s also a chance he shares time at 3B, so unless he sees regular AB and hits second, his value remains unchanged (though, he could see less RBI opportunity).  He’s worth owning in deeper formats due to his eligibility at 2B and 3B, but he’s far from a must own.

Kansas City Royals

In O’Sullivan, the Royals get a pitcher who has worked primarily as a starter, though he has struggled in recent years.  In 10 starts (12 appearances) for the Angels in 2009 he posted a 5.98 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.  

At Triple-A this season he went 5-5 with a 4.76 ERA and 58 K over 85.0 innings.  He was also very hittable, allowing 95 hits, as well as walking 31.  While it was in the PCL, those are still not encouraging numbers.  

He does have a career GB percent of 48.5 percent in the minor leagues, though it was just 42.1 percent at Triple-A this season.  Yes he pitched well against the Yankees earlier this week (2 ER over 6.0 IP in a win), but don’t read much into it. He has little chance of being usable outside of AL-Only formats.

Will Smith has posted a 5.53 ERA in 19 starts across three levels in 2010, so needless to say he’s a non-factor for fantasy owners.

As for who assumes 3B duties, don’t expect it to be Mike Moustakas.  Unless the Royals have dramatically changed their stance, the plan was to keep him in the minor leagues all year long.  

Wilson Betemit, who has played seven games at 3B, will likely get the majority of the AB. He’s currently hitting .368 with 4 HR and 10 RBI in just 57 AB.  He’s long had potential, but never has lived up to the hype.  For those in deeper formats, he certainly is worth gambling on, especially with the lack of depth at the position.

Conclusion

While there is no huge winner in this deal, the biggest benefactor is likely Betemit, who has the potential to contribute to fantasy teams over the final two months of the season.  Look for the average to fall (his BABIP is currently at .436), but the potential is worth the low-side risk in deeper leagues.

What are your thoughts on the deal?  Who is the winner?  How does it affect Callaspo’s value?

Make sure to check out our other trade analysis:

• Yunel Escober for Alex Gonzalez

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On Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired Kansas City Royals infielder, and former Angel farmhand, Alberto Callaspo.

So?

For months, Angels fans sat fidgeting in front of computer monitors and television screens, desperate for news that their team pulled off some sort of trade to make up for the loss of Kendry Morales, to make up for the failure of Brandon Wood, or just to make up ground on the Texas Rangers.

It didn’t matter, as long as the organization showed some interest in its own future.

But this move is far from what most expected, and even further from what they had hoped.

Callaspo is basically a light-hitting utility infielder with good speed, a decent glove, and a little pop. Any Angel fan worth his salt could name three guys like that on the current roster, and at least two more in the minors.

What’s most perplexing is that there is certainly no shortage of holes on the big club’s roster, but Callaspo doesn’t fill any of them.

The Angels still need an everyday catcher who can hit better than .230, established corner infielders who bring consistent power to the lineup, younger corner outfielders with solid gloves and better bats, and at least one reliable reliever who doesn’t put the game in doubt when he picks up the ball.

The Callaspo trade addresses none of those issues.

His .275 batting average this season is no mind-blowing statistic. His whopping eight home runs and 43 RBI are nice, but not overwhelming. He’s good, but not great.

And he’s no vast improvement over Maicer Izturis.

The silky smooth infielder, who was recently reactivated by the Angels, is good for nearly identical offensive numbers to Callaspo, not to mention his knack for getting hits in key situations.

So why make the trade?

Sure, the Angels didn’t give up much in return. Right-hander Sean O’Sullivan, the centerpiece in L.A.’s offer, had a strong showing against the Yankees on Wednesday but isn’t exactly a can’t-miss prospect, and minor leaguer Will Smith has wracked up a 7.00-plus ERA in Double-A this year.

Some posit that the Angels are simply trying to build depth in their infield. Izturis is somewhat injury prone, already spending more than a month on the disabled list in 2010, and Erick Aybar has had his share of ailments as well.

But Kevin Frandsen and, yes, even Wood, already fill those backup roles. They might not be the greatest bench players in the league—particularly Wood—but again, infield depth isn’t a pressing issue for the Angels right now.

Which means either General Manager Tony Reagins has no clue what he’s doing, or he’s gearing up for a much bigger trade down the line.

The Angels have very few players to sweeten any deal for potential trade partners. One rival scout was quoted as saying that L.A.’s minor league cupboard is bare. Teams don’t want to buy what we have to sell.

But the acquisition of Callaspo gives the Angels four solid middle and left-side infielders, plus the two aforementioned backups. That’s six guys for three positions (second base, third base, and shortstop).

Or as I like to call them, trade pieces.

Write it down: The Angels are not done yet. Not in the divisional race, and not in the trade market.

Callaspo to Anaheim sets up big things for this team as it enters a lengthy set of games against the division-leading Rangers.

The future of the AL West could be decided this week, both on the field and off.

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