Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez Trade

by Bluethunder33 on Jul 14, 2010 12:15 PM EDT

Via MLBTradeRumors.com:

The Blue Jays acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar and pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes from the Braves for shortstop Alex Gonzalez and minor leaguers Tim Collins and Tyler Pastronicky, according to a team press release. The Jays designated Ronald Uviedo for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The move comes as a big surprise, as Escobar was perhaps one of the more valuable commodities in the game when the 2009 season concluded. Just a few days ago, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote that the Braves "simply aren't willing to sell low on a guy who they still view as the game's top defensive shortstop." Escobar was worth over four wins last year, but his power has disappeared in 301 plate appearances this year. Escobar will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season, so he'll be under the Jays' control through 2013.

I agree that this a little surprising for Atlanta. Are the Braves just getting started wheel'n and deal'n?

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yunel Out

You guys are over analyzing this trade. It’s very simple- Escobar had a very poor attitude – when Bobby Cox is done with you – you will not last long in MLB. We got rid of a guy that while good defensively was absolutely NOTHING at the plate- for a guy with 17 and 50- what is the big deal??? Good deal for Braves. PERIOD.
Yunel had to go- as team chemistry is so very important- possibly even more so than raw talent. There was much that we will never know but enough that we could see that told us Yunel was not a good teammate. We got a decent SS with some power in exchange- as much power as many on our roster before this trade and Yunel is GONE- if we had kept him any longer his trade value would have been practically nothing.
We had to move him. Simple as that and what we gort in return was just fine- FR is not stupid.

Omar can fill this hole if Gonz falls off dramatically in a heartbeat.
I just don’t understand what the big deal is- Yunel was poison. He is gone- forget him- the TEAM will be better off without him as he was not liked by many. Big positive- got rid of a headache- in the field and in the locker room and in exchange got as much power as anyone we have on our current roster- what’s not to like? The propects are nothing but a bonus- this had to be done and hats off to FR for pulling the trigger- give it a chance- regardles how it turns out it will be better than if we did nothing- We are not through either- more to come..

by sammymagee on Jul 14, 2010 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

excellent analysis

People always seem to downplay how important team attitude/chemistry is. This is also good for Yunel as a kick in the pants to wake up and not take baseball for granted. Yunel is an amazing potential talent and the Jays will benefit. This trade is a win-win for everyone.

by BravesFTW on Jul 14, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

As far as chemistry is concerned I completely agree.

From what I know, Gonzalez is a serviceable to good defensive player. If he can improve his contact just a bit and fit in with the team, it works out well for Atlanta.

This is a move for winning this year. I like it.

Anyone think they make some more moves? I personally would like them to hook up with Houston to get Oswalt to help out their pitching staff – a lot of young arms which could have a bit of pressure taken off with that type of addition.

by Bluethunder33 on Jul 14, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

Gotta say this much, if you can’t get with the chemistry in an Atlanta clubhouse run by Bobby Cox and including Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Tim Hudson, you’ve got a problem. All accounts I’ve ever heard is that there are a lot of good chemistry players there.

I think both teams are in the end going to benefit from the trade. Atlanta gets a player who is very similar except for the batting average (and apparently the headaches), with a lesser commitment, and also some prospects for the extra years of Escobar team control.

The Blue Jays took a piece that is clearly not going to be in their future plans of competing and move it for one that could very well be.

Jason's Baseball Blog

Follow me on Twitter

Writer at FakeTeams

by Jason Hunt on Jul 14, 2010 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

chemistry in an Atlanta clubhouse run by Bobby Cox and including Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Tim Hudson, you’ve got a problem.

Maybe true, but the fact he doesn’t have great English and is Latino might lend himself to not fit in very well with these types of leaders. Cultural barriers are very real and could be in play here. I can’t speak for Hudson and McCann but Chipper Jones comes off as a real knuckledragger / meat-head sometimes so he may not be great for every player. Plus, it’s easy to see Toronto as a much better environment to live and work for Escobar than Atlanta would be.

Tough to say exactly how this will play out, but I do like it from a Jay’s perspective certainly. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds

by brewerm on Jul 15, 2010 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions

...

If Yunel has such a poor attitude then why didn’t Atlanta send him to the Rangers instead of Elvis Andrus? I’m sure there are things that go on within the organization that outsiders will never know about- but the Teix deal really ripped Atlanta. They gave up a lot and didn’t really get anything much in return.

by acr on Jul 14, 2010 9:18 PM EDT reply actions