The Royals have made quite a few roster moves in the last 24 hours.
First, they traded Alberto Callaspo for Sean O'Sullivan and minor leaguer Will Smith.
Second, they called up Rick Ankiel.
Third, they placed David DeJesus on the disabled list (and now reports say he's done for the year).
Fourth, they called up Alex Gordon.
The latest move is that they designated for assignment Anthony Lerew, who just came back up a few weeks ago. This is the second time the Royals have DFA'd him.
They make the move so that there is room for Sean O'Sullivan on the roster. He's scheduled to pitch Sunday.
Royals manager Ned Yost says Wilson Betemit will be full-time replacement at third base for Alberto Callaspo.
I can live with this. Look, the Royals aren't in this thing anymore and they just need someone to keep the seat warm for Mike Moustakas in 2011. I've got no problem with Betemit being that guy.
This is an interesting part of the Alberto Callaspo trade between the Royals and Angels.
Involved in the deal was major leaguer Sean O'Sullivan and minor leaguer Will Smith.
Smith, playing for the Angels AA affiliate, was playing none other than the Royals on Thursday evening when the trade went down. He was prepared to face the Royals and then...
Story from NW Ark, playing at Angels' AA club tonite: Will Smith was out at BP before being waved in to be notified of deal. Crazy business.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia spoke briefly on the trade that netted them Alberto Callaspo from the Royals, according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
"He's got a lot of versatility, much like Izzy," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, leaving the impression that he wouldn't mind having Callaspo at third base on a fairly regular basis, now and in the future.
Izzy is Maicer Izturis who returned to the Angels lineup after missing 27 games.
Callaspo will join the Angels on Friday and is expected to be in the lineup that evening.
Royals catcher Brayan Pena said on the Royals pregame show that the Alberto Callaspo trade "surprised everyone."
"It really surprised everybody. But this is baseball. This is why it's such a great game because things like that happen. We wish him nothing but the best and the guys that we get from the Angels. We hope the best for everybody."
Of course if Pena had been reading SB Nation Kansas City or Royals Review, he wouldn't have been surprised. The Angels offering the Royals this trade was first reported earlier this week.
Earlier this week ESPNLosAngeles reported the Angels had offered the Royals RHP Sean O'Sullivan and a "fringe prospect" for the services of infielder Alberto Callaspo.
The reaction to the deal wasn't great as ESPN's Buster Olney said Thursday morning there's "no chance" he would make that trade.
"I think he's got more value than that. You get the feeling that Callaspo's going to be in the big leagues a long time. Sean O'Sullivan is a space holder and when you look at the Royals and where they are now, by the time they start to turn the corner he wouldn't even be part of the team because his service time's gonna advance so absolutely not."
Callaspo of course is a former Angel so that's your connection.
So what did the Royals do on Thursday afternoon? Per Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star:
Royals trade 3B Alberto Callaspo to Angels for RHP Sean O'Sullivan and minor-league LHP Will Smith
This move makes some sense for the Royals considering they're banking on third baseman Mike Moustakas being ready for the 2011 season.
The Royals also activated Rick Ankiel from the disabled list. So with both Ankiel and O'Sullivan coming, and just Callaspo leaving, they'll need to make a roster move.
We'll be back with more but for more on the Alberto Callaspo trade, check out Royals Review.
