Dodgers, Braves agree to six-player deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves embarked upon a six-player swap last night. The Dodgers traded infielder Juan Uribe and right-handed pitcher Chris Withrow to the Braves for infielder Alberto Callaspo, left-hander Eric Stults, left-hander Ian Thomas, and right-hander Juan Jaime, the teams announced. 

The clubs had reportedly agreed to a deal Tuesday morning, but Callaspo rejected the trade. He was able to reject any trade through June 15 due to signing with the Braves just last offseason. However, Callaspo changed his mind late last night and a deal was put together quite quickly thereafter. 

Going to the Braves is Juan Uribe, a 36-year-old third baseman. Uribe had been squeezed out of the Dodgers' starting spot over at the hot corner due to better play from Justin Turner and Alex Guerro, as well as the impending addition of new signee Hector Olivera. In 87 plate appearances this year, Uribe is slashing .247/.287/.309/.596 (67 OPS+) and is making $6.5 million.

Also going to the Braves is right-hander Chris Withrow, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Withrow has 56 innings worth of MLB experience, pitching to a 2.73 ERA (3.65 FIP) with a 71 to 31 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Withrow throws hard; he can dial it up to 98 mph, but due to the injury he was expendable. 

Alberto Callaspo is the main piece going back to the Dodgers, mostly as some infield depth. Callaspo is a light-hitting infielder with experience at first base, second base, shortstop, and third. With the Braves, Callaspo didn't amount to much, hitting a slash line of .206/.293/.252/.545 (54 wRC+) in 123 plate appearances. 

Eric Stults, Ian Thomas, and Juan Jaime all represent pitching depth for the Dodgers. Stults was designated for assignment following the announcement of the trade and is likely to accept his assignment to the minor leagues. Thomas, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, will be stretched out to eventually start for Los Angeles. And Jaime represents a kicker, as he is another hard-throwing intriguing reliever that has had control issues. 

Overall, this deal is more of a depth move for both teams, with the Braves unloading some Major League pitchers for a more intriguing minor leaguer (that could help in the long run) and a solution at third base for the rest of the season.

--Devan Fink

---