Braves need to shift their thinking about defensive shifts

Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers made a six-player trade that few would consider a blockbuster. In addition to the four pitchers involved, the trade featured an exchange of infielders, with Alberto Callaspo moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles and Juan Uribe doing the reverse. Given Justin Turner's ascension at third base in L.A. -- not to mention the presence of Alex Guerrero and the imminent arrival of Cuban slugger Hector Olivera -- and Chris Johnson's expected return to the Braves from the DL next week, neither Callaspo nor Uribe is likely to get frequent playing time with his new team. With Uribe, however, the Braves now have the potential to have the best defensive infield in baseball -- if only they would embrace the strategic advantage of defensive shifting, as most other teams in baseball have.