Report: Braves infielder Alberto Callaspo blocks trade to Dodgers
In what seemed like a match made of expendable players, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves were reportedly near a swap Tuesday morning that would have sent Juan Uribe to the ATL and Alberto Callaspo back to L.A.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal was first with the news, saying that Uribe-for-Callaspo was the headline, but six players were expected to change teams in the deal. Ah yes, some good ol’ hot stove-type dealing in May. But then, as quickly as the rumors warmed our baseball-less morning, they were squashed.
Callaspo blocked the trade, according to Rosenthal, seemingly happier to stay with the .500 Braves or test free agency again should he get designated for assignment, as many expect, and hit the open market:
Callaspo, 32, is hitting .206 in 37 games with the Braves in 2015, playing second and third base. He hit .223 last season with the Oakland Athletics. Both are a far cry from when he hit .288 with the other L.A. team, the Angels, in 2011. But with no L.A. reunion approaching, Callaspo could get DFA’d when Chris Johnson returns from injury. His minor-league rehab assignment started Sunday and Callaspo hasn’t been productive enough to easily justify a roster spot.
It seemed strange that the Dodgers would even want to take on Callaspo. There’s not much room for him in their infield, unless the Dodgers’ plan was to take the minor leaguers then just DFA Callaspo themselves. On the other side of this: Uribe, 36, has played in just 29 games this season, losing his starting role at third base and splitting time with Alex Guerrero and Justin Turner as of late. Uribe is hitting .247 this season, but hit .311 a year ago.
Had the trade happened, it would have a somewhat easy transition for Uribe and Callaspo, since the Braves are in L.A. at the moment playing the Dodgers. There are indications, though, that both Callaspo and Uribe could still be on the move. As MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves might still try to land Uribe.
And, of course, they still have to figure out what to do with Callaspo.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
