Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Kimbrel, Callaspo, NRIs
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics pinch hitter
Alberto Callaspo(7) hits an RBI single against the Kansas City Royals during the twelfth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Not a Good Start for Callaspo
Mark Bowman had a lot of useful notes from camp yesterday:
The #Braves were encouraged Callaspo had hired a personal trainer. But it doesn't look like he's in the best shape of his life.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 26, 2015
From his article on the subject, Bowman wrote:
"When the Braves signed Callaspo to a one-year, $3 million deal in December, they indicated recent concerns about his weight were alleviated by the fact that he had hired a personal trainer during the offseason. But the switch-hitting infielder, who batted .223 with a .580 OPS for the A’s last year, certainly didn’t have any reason to come to camp proclaiming that he is in the best shape of his life. If Callaspo’s unimpressive physique is an indication that he will extend the decline he has experienced while battling weight issues the past two seasons, Peterson and Gosselin might actually stand as the club’s best options to play second base and also spend some time at third base."
Not at all the way to try and impress your new manager. If things don’t improve quickly, the Braves could opt to jettison Callaspo and go with the kids. And that would bring Jose Peraza a lot closer to being in the mix as well.