Braves Trade Callaspo To Dodgers For Uribe

Bye Bye Callaspo: The Braves traded utility man Alberto Callaspo – seen here being congratulated by Fredi Gonzalez (33) after scoring a run against Phillies – to the Dodgers for Juan Uribe. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to Monday night’s game word came from Mark Bowman that Alberto Callaspo had been scratched and might not be a Brave much longer. So began a soap opera like series of Twitter fed frenzy of rumor and comments that lasted until well into last night’s game. In the end the trade was done, Callaspo is a former Brave and the roster is again in flux.

The Trade

The Braves send one of their worst signings since the return of Greg Norton in Callaspo to the Dodgers along with a reliever who can’t find the strike zone – Juan Jaime – a starter who throws mostly batting practice to opposing teams – Eric Stults – and lefty reliever Ian Thomas to the Dodgers.

The Dodgers send out of a job due to over crowding third baseman Uribe and right handed pitcher Chris Withrow – currently rehabbing from TJ surgery – to the Braves.

Why make it?

Callaspo was a disaster from day one. After promising when he signed that he would loose weight by spring training he arrived having seemingly forgotten that promise. He started out  with an 8-17 stretch but quickly reverted to his true self and became excess to needs. he’s excess to Dodger needs to and will likely be DFA almost immediately. The move saves the Dodgers about $5M and clears a roster spot.

At 36 Uribe was certainly excess to Dodger needs. They have Alex Guerrero and  Justin Turner on board and recently signed Hector Olivera.  Uribe is however a gold glove caliber defender at third and has a knack of delivering big hits, some of them against us.

May 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Dodgers traded third baseman Juan Uribe (5) to the Braves for Alberto Callaspo and three pitchers Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports.

Since becoming a Dodger Uribe’s slashed .260/.306/.381/.687 so he’s clearly not a power hitter; his value comes from his defense.  In 2103 he provide 4.1 rWar (5.3 f War) in 2013 and 4.0 rWAR( 3.6 fWAR) in 2014. Defensive metrics have love him at third as the numbers form Fangraphs show.

Third base defense has been problematic for the Braves but Uribe’s defense solidifies the left side of the infield no doubt pleasing our ground ball generating rotation.

At the plate Uribe doesn’t strike out or walk often but he’s been productive

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/27/2015.

He also has a reverse split giving the Braves an odd R/R platoon with Chris Johnson facing lefties and Uribe facing righties.

He’s also been very good in high leverage situations in recent years. All together he’s a good pickup for the Braves.