Dutton On The Buckner/Callaspo Trade

I thought this was a great trade for the Royals and am surprised more teams didn't try to get Callaspo (maybe they did and failed?). His off-field issues clearly lowered his trade value. The emergence of Reynolds and Bonifacio and the fact that Hudson is still around (and may be extended) made him even more expendable. Basically, his value was very low and the D'Backs didn't have any room for him in the majors to increase his value.

From what I've heard, he plays good 2nd and 3rd and might be passable at SS. He doesn't have a ton of power, but he's more than a slap hitter. He doesn't take many walks, but he doesn't strike out at all.

In 7 seasons in the minors (2007 was actually just a partial season), he had more walks than K's every year! In AAA in 2006 and 2007, he's put up rather freakish lines of .337/.404/.478 and .341/.406/.491 with a combined 84 BB and 44 K. He probably hs enough power to hit around 10 HR and enough power/speed to probably bang 35+ doubles.

Prior to 2007, PECOTA projected a .280/.335/.400 type career through his prime. I actually expect a higher AVG (and resulting higher OBP and SLG), mainly because his BB/K ratio remained reasonable, despite a low AVG in limited action.

I'm not a scout, but I could see him hitting like Freddy Sanchez, with a little more speed and more defensive versatility. A baseline of .290/.350/.420 over the next 6 years (barring injuries and off-field issues) sounds about right to me. If he adds a little muscle, he would be extremely valuable. Even without the power, he should be very valuable during his cheap years. I wouldn't be surprised if he lucks himself into batting title contention a few times in his career, like Sanchez did in 2006.

He's not an earth-shattering prospect, but he looks like an above-average regular with potential to hit at the top of the lineup (probably #2) during his prime.

I'm not a Royals fan, but I think Callaspo was a great pick-up. The wife-beating thing is scary though, no one wants that kind of character on their team (except apparently the Nats).

I don't know where you got your information, but here is the official report posted in the Arizona Republic.

"According to the report, Paola told Phoenix police that Callaspo hit and kicked her during the altercation Thursday. But more chilling were the details she told police regarding incidents that occurred within the past four weeks."

"Paola said that after an argument May 2, she struggled with a knife-wielding Callaspo, coming away with a half-inch cut on the right side of her face."

"She also said that while at a hotel in San Francisco, where the Diamondbacks played the Giants from April 20-22, Callaspo struck her about three times on the side of her head with a fist. Their 17-month-old son, Igor, was sleeping, but Paola said he woke up when she began to scream. Paola told police that Callaspo "picked Igor up and threw him back onto the bed, causing Igor to strike his head on the headboard."

I am a Diamondbacks fan, and I must say I'm really happy the Dbacks traded Callaspo. Alberto wasn't going to be accepted back to the organization. I think the dbacks and their fans are happy with what is returning for AC.