If the Angels sign Aramis, should the Cubs look at trading for Alberto Callaspo?

by benny99boy on Dec 1, 2011 10:25 PM CST

According to the most trusted MLBTR, the Angels are likely to offer Aramis Ramirez a contract shortly. With that being said, they appear to have an abundance of 3B and that could necessitate a trade. Alberto Callaspo would seem to be available. He is relatively young at 28, had a good year at the plate for the Angels and is a good defensive player according to Baseball Reference's defensive WAR (2nd in the AL with 1.7). His slash stats are good for AVG/OBP but lacking for SLG at .288/.366/.375 respectively. Yes, he would be a downgrade in the power department but would be a huge upgrade defensively (again 1.7 dWAR vs -0.9 WAR). That's almost 3 wins on defense alone. Overall the WAR difference is only .9 but obviously Callaspo would be considerably cheaper contract wise. He will be due a decent raise over 2011 which was $2M so probably $4-6M. If the Angels were reasonable in what they would want back, would you do it?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

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Why?

As a stopgap? Maybe.

If Aramis signs there, I will just be pissed at him for vetoing a deal there during the season when we could have gotten something useful for the farm system then.

by airweino on Dec 1, 2011 10:49 PM CST reply actions

The Angels aren't going to just give away Callaspo

He’s under arbitration control, probably won’t make a lot and could be a decent supersub-Mark DeRosa type player. Plus, they’ll need someone to play third base when Ramirez is injured or being the DH.

I think they’ll probably just keep him.

by Josh Timmers on Dec 1, 2011 11:11 PM CST reply actions

Possibly...

I’d be more curious to let Vitters have a shot at it in Spring Training. If he pans out and takes the job, great. If he doesn’t, we can make do with Baker/Dewitt for the time being. (it hurt to type that last sentence)

by BigCubbie on Dec 1, 2011 11:11 PM CST via mobile reply actions

It should hurt

by TJ11 on Dec 2, 2011 8:28 AM CST up reply actions

it hurt to read it…

by stoneyai on Dec 2, 2011 8:29 AM CST up reply actions

I don't see Vitters as the answer for next year at 3rd base.

He has done nothing to show he is ready to be given a starting spot.

John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?

by rlpete on Dec 2, 2011 8:35 AM CST up reply actions

He's done very little to prove he should be the starter at AA

A lot of scouts call him a bust. Still waiting for this guy to be a .280/25hr hitter. And he can’t play defense.

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

Follow me on the twitter: @DJFreddie10 . I like to talk sports

by Musicdude10 on Dec 4, 2011 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

If the Cubs go into 2012

with a Dewitt/Baker platoon at 3rd then Theo and Hoyer has said screw 2012. And my gut says they do not look at that way.

by Grockcubs on Dec 2, 2011 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

Not surprising if he goes to Angels

If you recall whenever his contact was up last time (2007 or 2008) the Angels offered him a nice contract. Ramirez turned them down for a hometown discount with the Cubs.

The one 3B I would love to see Cubs try to trade for is David Wright. I think he’s attainable from the Mets and would be an asset to the team.

by ak123 on Dec 2, 2011 12:03 AM CST reply actions

Technically

they were going to offer him a nice contract, but the Cubs re-signed him before they could talk to him. If I recall correctly, he became a free agent at midnight and agreed to terms with the Cubs sometime in the middle of the night. The Angels waited until morning to call him when they were informed they already had come to terms with the Cubs.

But that was when Tony Reagins was running the team.

by Josh Timmers on Dec 2, 2011 12:10 AM CST up reply actions

David Wright would cost a ton.

I think Garza would be a starting point. I still think this compensation for Theo needs to be taken care of before any movement in the trade department. Then the Cubs will find out what parts can be moved. I would love Wright, most would. However your looking at 3 or 4 to one deal.

by Grockcubs on Dec 2, 2011 7:09 AM CST up reply actions

I can't see the Mets

trading Wright, especially if they lose Reyes. How are they going to sell those $495 tickets behind home plate if they do? Because Met fans want to see Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy?

Decent players to be sure, but hardly worth $495 a pop.

by Josh Timmers on Dec 2, 2011 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

I do not recall A-Ram and any "hometown discount".

This is precisely why he’s on the market. And I am happy about that.

I don’t think Callaspo fits into Theo’s approach. .337 OBP, .725 OPS over his career. Its close, but the OPS value is lower than “great”.

I think we could do better with a rookie. I have this strange feeling that the Cubs will have a very young team in the infield, except for 1B. Color me crazy.

by Tat14 on Dec 2, 2011 12:49 AM CST reply actions

He did show very good patience at the plate last year.

He also doesn’t strike out very much. Less strike outs than walks last year.

by Mitchener on Dec 3, 2011 7:18 AM CST up reply actions

I personally would like some pop

at third. DeJesus signed to play right does not add power. Pena and Ramy gone, this team is void of homerun power. Callaspo is not the answer.

by Grockcubs on Dec 2, 2011 7:11 AM CST reply actions

Hopefully Fielder will be signed for power.

by Mitchener on Dec 3, 2011 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

I bet he runs balls out for their manager.....He wont put up with that.

I also se him doing so DHing so they may need Callaspo

by TJ11 on Dec 2, 2011 8:30 AM CST reply actions

I think third base for the Cubs currently has to be a power position.

We currently lack any middle of the lineup pop and with Aramis leaving, no first baseman and fickle HR hitting Sori in left, we have turning into a singles hitting team, if that.

We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.

by mrcubsfan on Dec 2, 2011 8:36 AM CST reply actions

Has to be?

Mark Reynolds?

10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.

by timh815 on Dec 2, 2011 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

He and Soriano back to back would be a joy to watch.

John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?

by rlpete on Dec 2, 2011 9:21 AM CST up reply actions

Cubs average game time decreases by 20%

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Dec 2, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

Windiest summer in Chicago history.

Inspiring the Kicking of Tires Since November 2011...

by Mapanator on Dec 2, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Generate a nice breeze on a hot summer day.....

by ClarkFan on Dec 2, 2011 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

I just don't see anyone available with big time power at third.

Stewart has the upside to hit 20, but he’s far from a sure thing.

by Dcr18 on Dec 2, 2011 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

An interesting idea.

But Callapso sounds like the kind of depth player an organization like the Angels would hang on to. I’d also wonder whether the Cubs could get similiar production out of DJ LeMahieu.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Dec 2, 2011 11:21 AM CST reply actions

I watched a lot of Callaspo here in KC.

He’s not very good.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Dec 3, 2011 9:01 AM CST reply actions

by Champaign Cubbies on Dec 8, 2011 1:14 PM CST reply actions

I am guessing ARam will not be an Angel afterall

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Dec 8, 2011 5:58 PM CST reply actions