Dodgers, Braves swap Uribe for Callaspo in 6-player trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers officially parted ways with veteran third baseman Juan Uribe on Wednesday after confirming a reported six-player trade with the Atlanta Braves.
The deal nets the Dodgers backup infielder Alberto Callaspo, left-handed pitchers Eric Stults and Ian Thomas, and right-hander Juan Jaime.
Uribe, meanwhile, will be joined in Atlanta by right-hander Chris Withrow, who's sidelined until next season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 36-year-old Uribe confirmed the deal Tuesday night in an emotional exchange with reporters.
"I respect their decision," Uribe said. "One never knows what's going to happen. If I play for another team, then I play for another team. I can't control what happens. You have to take things as they come. It's happened to me before. One day you're here, one day you're not. Thank God there are other teams that are interested in me."
The slick-fielding Uribe was a key member of the Dodgers' last two division-winning seasons, posting back-to-back 4.0-win campaigns with a combined slash line of .295/.334/.439. His departure saves the team about $1 million in salary and helps clear an emerging surplus at the hot corner.
| 2015 | AVG | OPS | WAR | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uribe | .247 | .596 | -0.2 | $6.5M |
| Callaspo | .206 | .545 | -0.5 | $3M |
The hot-hitting Justin Turner had recently supplanted Uribe as the Dodgers' primary third baseman, while Callaspo is expected to serve as an option off the bench for a group that already includes rookie Alex Guerrero and has top prospect Corey Seager and Cuban Hector Olivera waiting in the wings.
Callaspo, who was ineligble to be traded prior to June 15 because he signed with the Braves as a free agent in the offseason, reportedly blocked the deal earlier Tuesday before eventually agreeing to the move. He'll receive a bonus, according to Peter Gammons, for waiving his veto rights.
The addition of Stults provides the Dodgers rotational depth following season-ending injuries to Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy. The 35-year-old left-hander has a 5.85 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings this season.