Atlanta Braves close to deal with infielder Alberto Callaspo

UPDATE: Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the contract for Alberto Callaspo will be worth $3 million for the 2015 season.

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The Atlanta Braves entered the Winter Meetings with real uncertainty at one particular infield position, but they appear to have filled that glaring need with a stopgap option. On Tuesday, manager Fredi Gonzalez “announced” (via MLB Network Radio) that the team was close to signing veteran infielder Alberto Callaspo.

After the trade of Tommy La Stella to the Chicago Cubs, the Braves were left with only Phil Gosselin and, theoretically, top prospect Jose Peraza to compete for the starting job at second base. Atlanta was also linked to free agent middle infielder Stephen Drew previously, but in Callaspo, they have found a borderline starting-caliber option that should end the pursuit of other plug-and-play choices.

Unfortunately, Alberto Callaspo has not been particularly productive in recent years. After producing a 109 wRC+ with a 3.5 fWAR in 2011, the 31-year-old began to decline noticeably with the bat. In 2014, Callaspo produced just a .223/.290/.290 slash line with four home runs in 451 plate appearances, and while a portion of that was likely due to bad luck given a .242 BABIP, that is not exactly encouraging from a potential starter at any spot on the diamond.

Stay tuned for additional details on the move as they become available, but ir appears that Alberto Callaspo could be prominently involved in the 2015 season for the Atlanta Braves.