The Atlanta Braves Morning Chop and Box, Godwin

May 27, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Alberto Callaspo in the dugout during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Callaspo was traded from the Atlanta Braves earlier in the day. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Still trying to Figure Out that Trade

Some notes from various sources about the Dodgers/Braves trade.  In case you hadn’t heard, Eric Stults was designated for assignment – not Alberto Callaspo as we had expected/anticipated.  Still scratching my head over that one, but there are a couple of nuances involved:

• Because of his service time, Stults has the right to decline the assignment to AAA.  But doing so would force him to void his existing contract, which owes him another 1+ million through the end of the year.  So it’s certainly possible that the Dodgers are trying to stash him at AAA “in case of emergency”.  It’s risky, for by DFA’ing Stults, another team can opt to claim him… and his contract.  Any team doing so would also have to bring him to the majors… or start another DFA cycle.
• MLBTR.com reports via Pedro Moria of the Orange County Register that the Dodgers’s President Andrew Friedman has actually been after Ian Thomas several times.  It appears that their desire is to stretch him out as a starting pitcher, though if that doesn’t work out, they still believe (and I agree) that he would still make a quality major league relief pitcher.
• Curiously (from the same link), it seems that the Dodgers actually wanted Callaspo’s switch-hitting bat and ability to play other positions such as first base, while also not being sure they could keep Chris Winthrow on their 40-man roster until next season.  Ummmkay… well, they just added Thomas in his stead, so… whatever.
• Undoubtedly, though, the Braves did spend some money and the Dodgers saved some on this deal… and every time the Dodgers save $1, it’s really $1.40 thanks to their luxury tax – and a number of their 2015 moves have been geared toward reducing their payroll.  Hmmm:  Eric Young for Andre Ethier and a pile of cash, perhaps?

Curiously enough:  Alberto Callaspo ended the game last night… as a Dodger hitter.