SUNDAY: The Mets have also shown interest in Escobar, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports (Twitter link). Escobar could directly serve as a replacement for the injured David Wright at third, or his multi-position versatility could further add to a plethora of infield options for New York, especially now that Jose Reyes is also in the mix.
FRIDAY: The Angels are listening to offers on infielder Yunel Escobar, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). It appears that multiple teams have expressed at least some level of interest, with the Giants among them.
Escobar, 33, has continued to put up strong offensive numbers since he was acquired over the winter from the Nationals. All told, he owns a .313/.369/.413 batting line over 892 plate appearances dating to the start of 2015. He has only hit a dozen home runs in that span, but has continued to hit at a high average while knocking 43 doubles.
Long a shortstop, Escobar has seen most of his action recently at third. He had been slated to play second for the Nats before internal needs dictated a change, though, and it seems that a contender could add him with intentions of utilizing him in any number of ways in the infield. Though the glove doesn’t rate very well, it’s versatile. It’s worth noting, too, that Escobar can be controlled for another season via a $7MM club option (with a $1MM buyout). He’s playing this year at the same reasonable annual rate, so there’s a bit of contract value included as well.
For the Giants, it’s hard not to tie interest in Escobar to Matt Duffy’s issues. He’s not expected to need a terribly long DL stint after a recent injury, but was off to a rough .253/.313/.358 start to the season that fell well shy of the above-average batting line he put up in 2015. Of course, he’s still a highly-valued defender, but it’s not difficult to see why the organization might want to add another piece with a bit more bat to the infield mix. Both Duffy and Escobar hit from the right side, but the latter could fill in now at the hot corner and then float around the infield thereafter. (Notably, second bagger Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford both hit from the left side, though quality young utilityman Kelby Tomlinson is another righty bat.)
If you’re curious how Escobar might hypothetically fit on the San Francisco roster, you can check out the team’s depth chart right here.
His anti-gay views would fit into SF quite well, eh?
It’d be hilarious (and fitting) if he got booed in his first at bat after he was traded there
Although a gay slur, he wasn’t being anti-gay. “He was basically saying “you’re an idiot.” Like how people in the states used to say, “that’s gay” instead of “that sucks,” it was unfortunately the same in the Caribbean. He was definitely being ignorant and insensitive. I’m sure I’ll be insulted by by this post but unfortunately, that’s just the way it is.
You mean cultural understanding should be reciprocated and goes beyond the immediacy of a translated word?
You betcha
you might be right in a general cultural sense, but in an individual sense, Escobar is scum. As a braves fan, I wouldn’t want him on my team again.
Can’t argue with you on that
I’m guessing San Francisco has plenty of players who are “anti-gay.” Baseball players tend to be a conservative lot in general.
Of course the Angels should sell – anyone over the age of 30. Build for the future.
I’d rather have Jay Bruce
This guy is just the worst. I was at a game at AT&T last year where he homered off of Vogelsong the first pitch of the game, and then gestured while mouthing “F— off” to all the Giants fans. On top of that, he’s a known homophobe. The worst fit for a Giants roster that has had good chemistry up until now.
Escobar may wind up with the team that comes in second in the Gurriel bidding wars.
As a player, he is an obvious fit for the Giants, off the field however… Eh, not so much
As an Angels fan his defense is probably more cause for concern than his anti-gay views. He routinely airmails the throw to first.
I remember most giants fans christening Matt Duffy as a future star during his above average year last year. I distinctively remember people saying that he would be better then Kris Bryant
This is ridiculous to think about replacing Duffy in any sense. Yeah he’s off to a rough start but lots of players have sophomore slumps. Duffy is a player and will work his way through it. Giants stuck with the most useless player I’ve ever seen (Brandon Hicks) for ages and did everything to could to keep him before finally giving Panik a shot who has been amazing. Stick with Duffy, he will come good. Find an outfielder to back up Pagan because he is just a fragile player who just needs more rest. I love Pagan but he just needs to get more of a break than maybe other players.
Not suggesting they’d replace him. Fill in, then provide another option at third and elsewhere. Doesn’t seem like the best fit to me, but I’m trying to explain the theoretical reasoning behind the reported connection.
Not sure who the giants would send the angels way
Hear me out
Cubs get: Trout
Angels get: Schwarber, Soler, McKinney, LaStella, and Ian Happ
Never in a million years would the Angels do that
A few teams in the league can trade for trout, One is the cubs the other two is the dodgers and red sox
your crazy
We heard you and it was a big mistake
That’s pretty hilarious. An injured player without a position, A prospect still trying to figure out major league pitching in Soler, McKKinney’s been bad this year, LaStella is a utility infielder and Ian Happ is a wildcard at best.
While the Cubs could acquire Trout, thanks to their prospect depth, any and all offers begin with Bryant, Baez, at least two of the pitchers (Edwards, Candelario), Torres and Contreras. That’s a start.
In other words, it’s not happening.
There is no equal trade value for trout, which would make all trade proposals unfair.
This guy is a scumbag
How about Escobar and Cron to the Mets for a minor league starting pitcher? Or to the Yankees for an outfielder who can play left and can actually hit
That makesalot of sense. Cron to 1st. Escobar to 3rd or ss if Reyes goes to 2nd and Walker to 3rd.
But what in terms of value? i think Michael Ynoa is a good piece to add to this deal for the Angels but what else do the mets have that they’d be willing to part with. Something centered around Montero, Ynoa, and more pitching? Cronsgot 4.5 years left of team control and idk about Escobar but if angels deal Cron they’ll want a lot of pitching coming back.
Cron has yet to prove that he can be consistent enough to warrant a big return. The Mets could play Escobar at first. With his team friendly option for next year, and Walker will be a free agent after this season. It would give the Mets more options. And to get a top tear pitching prospect, which the Angels need, the Mets will want more than just Escobar
That sounds like a good package deal, but Not sure if they mets have any surprise pitching left in their system, I think Fulmer was the last one
Maybe Gsellman – but you’re right; the Mets system is arms-poor at mid/high levels now. Strength is SS up to AA, and some interesting OFs
Cron having yet to prove consistency is still more than any prospect has proven. He’s depth option with power. And he’s still young. I’m sure plenty of teams would take him.
Cron is probably the worst 1st baseman in the league. Who cares about the fantasy of power he will never grow as a hitter playing on the angels there coaching staff ruins players beside trout and Calhoun. Get rid of him trade all 30+ player’s angels are never better then Texas let alone Seattle lol
Michael Ynoa is a relief pitcher for the White Sox. I have no idea who you could be referring to on the Mets.
It’s Gabriel Ynoa, mets highest ranked SP
GET RID OF FERNANDO SALAS PLEASE!!!!
What would it take to get Escobar? He was just traded for something like Robles/Gsellman, but I don’t think the Mets do that.
Eppler needs to get good prospects .. Nothing less …
Escobar/Cron or Yunel and an arm (shoe/smith/street/salas) for Conforto or Nimmo. If that’s not enough the Angels need to add to it and make it enough. We have SP depth, we need to solve LF
You all didn’t like my other trades . Well how about this one. It’s another 4 team trade. It between the Braves , Angels, Pirates , Indians
Pirates get
Tehran, vizcaino , c ward, lp Krol, Cunningham , Perez
Indians get
Trout, markakis , marksberry, Jim Johnson , a.j. Pierzynski, and 25 million . 12 from Braves and 13 from Angels
Angels get
Bradley Zimmerman , banuelos , Aiken bobby Bradley , kelly, rio Ruiz , odom , tarpley , and Ellis back
Braves get
Meadows, bell, McGuire, Hayes , Adam Frazier , Clint Frazier , Bedrosian, Sheffield and international pool money from both indians and pirates or com pick in next years draft from both them
No
The angels return for Trout you propose is absolutely nowhere near enough in a million years
It’s cute how you think that the Angels have to add in their #1 prospect (Taylor Ward) AND additional money ($13 mi) to move Trout.
And then the three best position prospects from the other teams (Meadows, C. Frazier, and Bell) end up going to the Braves in that deal.
I got news for ya, Tony Reagins isn’t the Angels GM anymore.
First off the Braves have number 1 minor league system in baseball and Angels have 30 second ward is not angel number one prospect he is 3rd . In this trade Angels get 37 mlb prospect in Zimmerman , 9th and 21 rank left hander . Aiken is 9 left and he is indians 4 prospect . And Banuelos is 21 rank left and Braves 6 th rank prospect another lp tarpley which is pirates 19 prospect. Ellis was your 3rd prospect last year and Braves 11 prospect . Bobby Bradley is 99th minor league prospect but indians 7th prospect . Ruiz is Braves 12th prospect. Kelly is Braves 20th prospect . And odom is Braves 62 so if you look at it that way . Now Braves do get 34 prospect 44 prospect 65 minor league prospects and sheffield is indians 6 prospect. Hayes and McGuire and Frazier are pirates 5,6,27 prospects and the reason for the money is to make the indians fans not protest that indians can’t pay markakis and trout salaries
Please stop
“ward is not angel number one prospect”
I stopped reading there.
The Braves could put another 3 team deal . Between Braves , Rockies , and mariners
Mariners
Get
3b nevin
Sp Norris
Ss aybar
Rp ogando
Of Blackmon
Rockies would get
Foltz
Albies
Jackson
Lee
Wilson
Paxton or rizzo
Braves get
Ss Rodgers
Rp Pint
3b Peterson
Lewis
Lp hultzen
Rp Tyler
Ow I almost for got Rockies would also get wihlemson
Drugs are bad Chris.
Dude ur trades are ridiculous just stop
Seriously, Chris. You’re embarrassing yourself, you always embarrass yourself. I’m starting to feel bad. Is this all you do?
Please stop. You seem fairly intelligent when it comes to prospects but these trades are just ridiculous as they are so unrealistic. There is zero reason for those teams to do that deal.
Or really any deal I’ve seen you propose.
Why do you guys even reply to him if you don’t like his trade proposals. Just let him do what he does and leave him alone he isn’t disrespectful to anybody until multiple ppl start gettin on him. Ppl names are on the top of the post if you don’t like what he says don’t read it. I find a lot of other ppl on here that are a lot more disrespectful than him. Chris keep doing your thing no matter how crazy it sounds.
And as far as crazy proposals go I have never not one time in my 8 yrs checking out this sight have ever seen 1 proposal that actually became a trade from you wannabe fake gm’s So let the guy have his moment and take it for the entertainment that it is.
First off steelerbravenation thank you . Second to all of you you all over value prospects. Team think prospect as poker chips. They use them to go after major leagues that can help them win. Second any time I make trades I have reason . Trades are suppose to help both team not just your teams. Plus they do have some sports history comparison.
And you can’t say none of my trades can’t happen because you never know what will happen . And steelerbravenation will you do me a favor , go above read what I said . I know some of it can be hard to read. I said this before . It’s not me its my phone. But if you do read it . Maybe you can get all these others hatters to understand the real truth
First off steelerbravenation thank you. Second to rest of you. You all over value prospects. Teams think prospects as poker chips. They use them to go after major leagues that can help them win. Second any time I make trade I have reason. Trades are suppose to help both teams fill there needs .nit just one team. Plus they have some sports comparison . Also none of you can say none of my trades could happen because not every team values there prospect or other teams prospect the same . And you never know what will happen in the future. Steelerbravenation will you do me a favor , please go above read what I wrote . I know some of its hard to read . I said it before ,it’s not me it my phone. But if you do read it. Maybe you can get all these other hatters to understand the real truth
The Angels should trade him. Good hitter, comes at a value opportunity, while it might be Kaleb Cowart’s time now.
Trade Escobar, Santiago, cron, giavotella, weaver to the jays for Alford, foley, dickey and either Saunders/Goins/carrera