Despite his off the field issue, the dude can hit. He has a 94 percent contact rate and a great batters eye. He's hitting .358 and that's after an 0-5 game last night. His 10 walks to 5 strikeouts is pretty solid too. He plays SS and 2B, primarily playing 2B this season for the Royals.

Just for fun, but Callaspo > Bulger & Aybar? Perhaps we traded the wrong MI a couple years ago? hmmm

Your thoughts?

His minor league track record was solid before being jerked around by the D-Backs. In 2005 he hit .304 with 29 doubles, 2 triples, 11 homers and 80 RBI in 139 games. In 2006 he hit .337 with 24 doubles, 12 triples, 7 home runs and 68 RBI in 114 games. Along the way, Callaspo walked 229 times while only striking out 145.

Busted for a DUI and hitting his girlfriend isn't cool and he received consequences for those actions I'm sure. But, these issues didn't come up until after he was traded to the Diamondbacks for Jason Bulger.

Too many OF's right now.

I think he's a perfect solution for our future leadoff hitter from LF, which would allow the Angels to keep Aybar at SS bat 9th, while inserting Brandon Wood in Figgins spot at the hot corner.

Why?

If it were me, I'd go with either Sean Rodriguez or Brandon Wood in either of the SS or 3B spots. But MT you have to know this, the Angels LOVE Aybar. That isn't going to change unless he just flat out sucks for consecutive games. They love his arm, his defense sans the mental mistakes and they think he has Jose Reyes type ability with the bat, though not so much on the bases.

Chuck, I assume you are talking about next year and I am guessing that Aybar has this year to prove he can perform.  I don't think he can, do you?

Unless he does a turn-around, he will not play ss for the Angels next season.

this

They love his arm, his defense sans the mental mistakes and they think he has Jose Reyes type ability with the bat, though not so much on the bases.

I should state, without Reyes 15-20 HR power. Aybar has enough pop to hit 10+ down the road I'm sure, but I can see Aybar hitting .290-.300 easily in the big leagues. Problem is, he doesn't know how to steal a bag to save his life anymore. Weird, since he averaged 40 a season in the minors.

Hey, that's the feeling I get when talking to the Angels FO about Aybar. Hopefully Aybar and the Angels FO can prove that us fans were just impatient.

If a picture of Aybars face won't mess them up, nothing will.

The disclaimer I always make when I make comments like the one I'm going to make is that my view is based on how players played in AAA.

I didn't like the Callaspo trade when it was made but I understand the Angels reasoning. Callaspo is a very good hitter, a switch hitter that makes solid contact from both sides. He doesn't walk a lot but he doesn't swing at many bad balls either. Callaspo is the prototypical contact hitter. But Callaspo isn't really an Angels/Mike Scioscia type of player. He is an average defender that doesn't have near the speed as Aybar. I follow the Royals and I've seen Callaspo play a lot this season on television. He does an average job at 2B, is very good at turning the double play, but in close games late he is usually replaced. But comparing Callaspo to Aybar is an apples to oranges comparison. The correct comparison is Callaspo to Kendrick because Callaspo is a 2B. Give what I saw of both players at AAA, there was no reason to believe that Kendrick wouldn't turn out to be a +.300 Major League hitter. That is why I say I understand the Angels reasoning for trading him. 

As for Chris Pettit...he is a right handed version of Bobby Abreu. He has fair power but outstanding speed. He is under control at the plate and can hit the ball hard and on a line to all fields. I see Pettit as the Angels lead off hitter of the future. Juan Rivera better check his rear view mirror because Pettit is gaining on him.