Alberto Callaspo for Billy Buckner

by James Quinn on Dec 14, 2007 4:13 PM EST Comment 13 comments

The Royals and D-Backs just made an under the radar trade that I think will have an impact on both teams. Alberto Callaspo (inf) for Billy Buckner (SP).

My first thought is that this is a good deal for the Royals as the organization has no middle infield depth in the upper minors. If Tony Pena Jr. or Grudz went down the Royals might have had to allow Angel Berroa to return from Omaha, an no one wants any part of that storyline. German can play 2B okay but is a disaster at SS or 3B.

What do you think?

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ss

if callaspo can play shortstop, why not start him? he has to be a better hitter than TPJ.

by wily mo on Dec 14, 2007 3:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

He can play SS this year, then if Grudzy leaves in a year, he can slide back over to 2B where he's probably a better defender.

by doublestix on Dec 14, 2007 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't look like either the Angels or the

D-backs were sold on him as a SS. He played 2b every year except 2004 at AA. That year he made 26 errors in 121 games.

I guess we will see how he handles short during spring training. I expect Hillman will be more open than Buddy to letting players compete for roles on the field rather than just sticking with "what seems to be workin' jus' fine."

by James Quinn on Dec 14, 2007 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Deleted my diary

Buckner is a nice pitcher, no doubt, I had him #4 on our list. Now I wouldn't say we're "loaded" in good pitching prospects, but we had enough that Buckner was probably expandable in a deal for a good middle infielder.

by doublestix on Dec 14, 2007 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

I was a fan of Buckner as a dependable mid/back rotation starter, so I'm not an immediate fan of this move.

Also, where does Callaspo play? Does this make Grudz an overpaid middle infielder? Or does Callaspo take over for Pena, which makes him a utilityman and basically makes last year's trade of Cordier pointless?

Just not sure about this, and I still don't think the Royals are in any position to trade away promising and cheap starters.

by Bowser on Dec 14, 2007 4:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

This is kind of where I am on this move, too. DM had been doing a nice job of stockpiling young, cheap, #3/#4 arms, this seems like a contrary move.

by Yakker on Dec 15, 2007 4:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to think

he is the utility infielder next season beating out Jayson Smith....and auditions himself for the starting 2B nod in 09....the Royals seem very pleased with Pena(who surprised many last seaosn) so at least for now I do not see anyone else at SS to start 08 than Pena

Frank Tanana is my all time favorite player and he was a member of VTTigers beloved team....my tribute to VTTigers

by gashousegang on Dec 14, 2007 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

BUCKNER

John rated him as a B.

from rotoworld:
Buckner, 24, showed some potential after moving from the rotation to the bullpen in Triple-A last year... went 1-2 with a 6.49 ERA in five starts for the Royals in September, figures to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. There's a chance he'll develop into a quality setup man, but he's more likely to linger in middle relief.

RW seems to think he'll be a reliever. Was John giving him a B as an SP or RP? What's his future?

by Sox Puppet on Dec 14, 2007 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Buckner

As far as I know the Royals always had him slotted as a starting pitcher. I am not aware of any thought given to moving him into the pen.

My personal take on him was that he would be a decent pitcher but with a low ceiling. Not that I really know what I am talking about mind you.

by James Quinn on Dec 14, 2007 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Buckner

Tossed out of the pen for a short while in Omaha this year, I think like 10 or so appearances. The general consensus was that he might move to the pen at some point, but it's foolish on rotoworld's part to say there's really no chance of him being a starter.

by doublestix on Dec 14, 2007 11:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mixed feelings

Buckner's going to be a workhorse, with the potential to be a number three starter: he's had great groundball rates and he gets a pretty good amount of strikeouts, too. That said, Callaspo is the kind of player the Royals need.

by ajohnst1 on Dec 14, 2007 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Callaspo

On talent, the Royals win for sure. Now if we factor in the wife beatings...

by rwperu34 on Dec 14, 2007 10:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Buckner

The first thing to remember about Buckner is that he was a Baird-era pitcher...and DM is aggressively purging those guys from our system. Only 7 of the 19 pitchers on the current 40-man were acquired by Baird (with DM getting 11 and the Robinson one)...he has tried to trade another one (Nunez for Bradley and Gobble has figured in lots of rumors.

Second, Royals depth in middle infield is just awful and there are no reasonable bets to move up in the near future.

So it seems like a good deal for the Royals...and for the D'backs because I think Buckner will end up being a pretty solid back-of-rotation guy.

by BlueEyesAustin on Dec 15, 2007 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs