Alberto Callaspo Possibly Being Traded

[dak]

Pedro Moura
‏@pedromoura
Andrew Friedman quite likes LHP Ian Thomas. Said he’s tried to acquire him for months. Said his “floor is as a good major-league reliever

That sure seems optimistic. I suspect most evaluators would say that Thomas' ceiling is "a good major-league reliever". We'll see what happens in the coming months. The Dodgers already have as many as 4 LH relievers on their 40-man that seem to be more valuable than Thomas. I wonder if Friedman and company are just trying to shine a turd here.

[Tapate50]

That sure seems optimistic. I suspect most evaluators would say that Thomas' ceiling is "a good major-league reliever". We'll see what happens in the coming months. The Dodgers already have as many as 4 LH relievers on their 40-man that seem to be more valuable than Thomas. I wonder if Friedman and company are just trying to shine a turd here.

Its the only viable reason to make the trade IMO. We gave them very little.

[Hawk]

That sure seems optimistic. I suspect most evaluators would say that Thomas' ceiling is "a good major-league reliever". We'll see what happens in the coming months. The Dodgers already have as many as 4 LH relievers on their 40-man that seem to be more valuable than Thomas. I wonder if Friedman and company are just trying to shine a turd here.

It seems like that.

FWIW, they are stretching him out as a starter in AAA now.

[DirkPiggler]

Its the only viable reason to make the trade IMO. We gave them very little.

I think some of the motivation for the trade from the Dodgers' perspective was to keep Uribe away from the Giants.

[thethe]

I think some of the motivation for the trade from the Dodgers' perspective was to keep Uribe away from the Giants.

Won't stop us from trading with them.

[dak]

I think some of the motivation for the trade from the Dodgers' perspective was to keep Uribe away from the Giants.

Yeah, I wondered about that too. I think they also wanted to "find a good home" for the most popular guy on the team versus DFA'ing him.

I think they would have been better off to sell high on Turner or Guerrero and keep Uribe around for his leadership. They could really use a quality SP, and they almost certainly could have gotten one for Turner or Guerrero. Maybe that will be their next move once Olivera is ready.

[gilesfan]

The primary motivation was to send Uribe packing. Really not a needle moving deal by any means, but they did pick up a couple possible relief options and another starter if all hell breaks lose. For that, they gave up a guy they would DFA and a reliever coming off arm and back surgery. Really no brainer from both sides even if the impact is minimal.

[sturg33]

Yeah, I wondered about that too. I think they also wanted to "find a good home" for the most popular guy on the team versus DFA'ing him.

I think they would have been better off to sell high on Turner or Guerrero and keep Uribe around for his leadership. They could really use a quality SP, and they almost certainly could have gotten one for Turner or Guerrero. Maybe that will be their next move once Olivera is ready.

If they plan to keep Callaspo... I think Turner will be used for pitching.

Simply plug in Guerro at 3rd when Puig comes back and they are all set. Plus they have Olivera. It's kind of silly

[dak]

The Dodgers have problems, but there all "rich people" problems.

[zitothebrave]

That sure seems optimistic. I suspect most evaluators would say that Thomas' ceiling is "a good major-league reliever". We'll see what happens in the coming months. The Dodgers already have as many as 4 LH relievers on their 40-man that seem to be more valuable than Thomas. I wonder if Friedman and company are just trying to shine a turd here.

Disagree, Thomas looks like he should be a good major league reliever. I wouldn't call it his floor, because relievers are weird creatures. Thomas can strike out batters. That's about 50% of a relievers job. If he keeps that up and improves his control vs what we've seen in the majors he could be very good.

[zitothebrave]

The primary motivation was to send Uribe packing. Really not a needle moving deal by any means, but they did pick up a couple possible relief options and another starter if all hell breaks lose. For that, they gave up a guy they would DFA and a reliever coming off arm and back surgery. Really no brainer from both sides even if the impact is minimal.

Yup, that's the kicker, not a terrible trade for either team. Sure we could easily wind up way better for it. But they moved a guy they didn't want to DFA and got back Ian Thomas and a few other pieces. And if they get 2 viable relievers, I think they'll consider that a win. I don't think Juan Jaime will be a viable major leaguer though, I assume he's in the deal because they didn't want to throw off the organizational Juan count.

[DirkPiggler]

Won't stop us from trading with them.

True, but it forces another trade to get Uribe to SF. Had the Dodgers DFAd him all it would have taken was a waiver claim. At least this way they end up with a couple of relievers that they might be able to use someday.

[Braves1976]

It seems like that.

FWIW, they are stretching him out as a starter in AAA now.

I've long said I like Thomas better as a starter as I watched him a lot his time starting in Mississippi. Wood if you recall did worse last year in the bullpen than starting. I am not saying Thomas can be that good, but he does have 4-5 starter ability IMO.

[Hawk]

I've long said I like Thomas better as a starter as I watched him a lot his time starting in Mississippi. Wood if you recall did worse last year in the bullpen than starting. I am not saying Thomas can be that good, but he does have 4-5 starter ability IMO.

Yeah, would have been nice for the Braves to have given him an opportunity to do the same in Atlanta over somebody like Stults.

[nsacpi]

I've long said I like Thomas better as a starter as I watched him a lot his time starting in Mississippi. Wood if you recall did worse last year in the bullpen than starting. I am not saying Thomas can be that good, but he does have 4-5 starter ability IMO.

You, me and Andrew Friedman. I'd say that makes Thomas almost a sure thing!

[gilesfan]

When can we spin Uribe for a top 50 prospect?

[Braves1976]

Yeah, would have been nice for the Braves to have given him an opportunity to do the same in Atlanta over somebody like Stults.

Agreed. But I knew they were not going to so I think it's best for Thomas and us that the trade happened. Plus I like Withrow better out of the bullpen, at least if he can cut down on the walks a bit.

[MadduxFanII]

The Dodgers might well have swept us in 2013 if they had left Withrow in during the 7th inning to face Jose Constanza instead of trying to play chess by bringing in a lefty, intentionally walking Reed Johnson, then giving up an RBI single to Heyward.

Of course, we would have had a reasonable shot at winning that series if Uribe could have gotten a freaking bunt down in game four, so maybe we just leave those memories well enough alone.

[nsacpi]

Yeah, would have been nice for the Braves to have given him an opportunity to do the same in Atlanta over somebody like Stults.

We had several second tier pitching prospects who were close to being ready, but the front office didn't rate them. Hale was packed off for very little. Now Thomas. Martin was exposed to the rule 5 draft. At least baby harang is getting a shot.

[jpx7]

When can we spin Uribe for a top 50 prospect?

Do any publications maintain a top-fifty for injured pitchers?