Athletics Grant Freedom For Green, Acquire Alberto Callaspo from Angels

Over the last couple of weeks there has been a multitude of speculation about the A’s and what moves might be made as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.  Well, the team announced and both Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Danny Knobler of CBS Sports first reported that the A’s have officially acquired third baseman Alberto Callaspo from the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Grant Green.  This marks the end of quite the journey through the Athletics organization for Green, which ended with an extremely brief and unproductive audition in Oakland a couple weeks ago.

Jul 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels infielder Alberto Callaspo (6) throws the ball to first to record an out against the Oakland Athletics in the third inning at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

A trade like this within the division isn’t especially common, and it signifies a waving of the white flag by the Angels as they look towards 2014.  This doesn’t mean Callaspo is necessarily a high impact player, but trading anyone of value within your own division doesn’t lead anyone to believe the Angels think they have any kind of chance to make a miraculous comeback.

So far this season Callaspo hit .253/.323/.348 with 5 home runs in 334 plate appearances.  Not exactly awe inspiring numbers, but he figures to get playing time throughout the infield much in the way we expected Jed Lowrie to when the A’s acquired him before the season started.  Callaspo though has played exclusively third base over the last 2 and a half seasons, so his skill at any position other than third base would be questionable at best.  He played 146 games at second in 2009 with the Royals, and he’s played 32 games in his entire career at shortstop.  But if the A’s believe he can help their depth and versatility then the deal will be worthwhile.

Grant Green will likely get another shot in the big leagues, he never was able to record his first Major League hit with the Athletics, but maybe playing in his native Southern California will help him get over the hump.  Now that he’s a division rival, hopefully he doesn’t come back to haunt the A’s.

The trade would likely mean another trip to DFA land for Adam Rosales, who’s role on the roster will be replaced by Callaspo.