The Oakland Athletics parted with 2009 first-round draft pick Grant Green in an exchange with the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Alberto Callaspo on Tuesday.
Callaspo, a switch-hitter, has been brought in as an upgrade for the team against left-handed pitching as the Athletics look to win their second-straight American League West division crown.
"We needed some infield help, particularly someone who could help swing from the right side," A's general manager Billy Beane told MLB.com after making the move one day before the MLB trade deadline.
Beane noted that the addition of Callaspo was mainly to give over-used infielder Josh Donaldson a break.
While the Athletics struck this move before the deadline, they aren't expected to make any more moves and feel content with the team they currently have. The A's sit atop the AL West with a 63-44 record and hold a five game lead over the second place Texas Rangers. The A's stunned the Rangers last season by completing a sweep over Texas in the final three games of the season to steal away the division in 2012. The Rangers then lost to the Baltimore Orioles in the newly-introduced one-game Wild Card playoff game, while the A's fell to eventual-American League Champion Detroit Tigers in the opening round.
Callaspo is currently in his eighth major league season and is 30 years old. Usually a third baseman, Callaspo hasn't played second since 2010 and hasn't been a regular at the position since 2008.
Beane wasn't shy about expressing his concern about Callaspo not playing second base in recent years.
"I am concerned," the general manager told MLB.com. "But he has played it a lot in the past, and there wasn't a huge availability of that type of player. He's going to have to get over there. We were in a situation where we needed another infielder."
Callaspo is owed $6 million on his contract, including $4.875 million in 2014.
The Angels are hoping that Green will help them build for a better future, as their 2013 season is falling by the wayside rapidly. The Angels sit 14 games behind the A's in the AL West standings heading into Wednesday, and are stuck in fourth place with a 48-57 overall record.
Callaspo, who is expected to platoon with Eric Sogard at second, is hitting .252 with five homers and 36 RBIs in 86 games this season.
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