Article: Escobar Proving Invaluable For Minnesota

[Ted Schwerzler]

On July 29, 2012, the Minnesota Twins made a move that would continue to pay dividends some five years down the line. Eduardo Escobar was snatched from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Francisco Liriano. Minnesota was a 90-loss team and the playoff hopeful White Sox needed a boost. While Escobar was far from a known commodity, he’s been a splendid surprise for Twins Territory.Since coming to Minnesota, the utility player has been worth 3.8 fWAR over the past five years. While that’s hardly anything to get excited about, it’s the smaller things that he brings to the club that make all of the difference. Despite being out of position at times, he has played every position on the diamond outside of first base. Although his bat won’t set the world on fire, it’s provided plenty of pop in limited exposure.

 

Coming into the year, I wondered whether or not Escobar and newly acquired Ehire Adrianza could coexist. Both best served as utility infielders; it was Adrianza who flashed superior leather while Escobar had a better stick. Nearly through the entirety of the 2017 slate, both players together do leave Minnesota a bit stretched, but I tend to lean towards Escobar being the more necessary commodity.

 

Playing mostly shortstop and third base this season for Paul Molitor’s club, Escobar has been lackluster defensively. He has posted a total of -9 DRS between both positions, and while his range hasn’t graded negatively, it’s also not an asset. Given limited exposure in the field however, something like 600 or so innings, he’s not been an incredible detriment to the squad as a whole.

 

It’s at the plate that Escobar becomes an asset for Minnesota, and when spelling a regular, there are far worse options you could be forced to use. In 2017, he’s posted a career best .749 OPS, and has gotten back to looking like the .754 OPS hitter from the 2015 season. With 15 homers to his credit already, he’s already posted a new career high. Yes, he’s in over his head as a middle of the order hitter, but there’s real value presenting itself here.

 

Imaging a scenario in which Escobar continued to pay off long after the Twins jettisoned Liriano seems farfetched in and of itself. Thinking he’s a guy that the club should keep around as they embark on a new window of opportunity leading to the postseason is about as good as it gets. At some point, the Twins are going to need to beef up their bench as a whole and heighten the level of options at their disposal. That being said, Escobar can continue to squeeze out opportunity if he can hold on to a similar level of production.

 

Entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine don’t have to make an all too difficult decision until 2019. Extending a utility player with a modest bat into free agency is something that would need to be evaluated against a shifting organizational landscape. That being said, the 2017 Twins wouldn’t be in a position to make September baseball interesting without the contributions of their Venezuelan utility man.

 

When the dust settles, Eduardo Escobar is never going to be a game changer for a big league team. Wanting a guy to spell players every few days, or come in with some unexpected pop off the bench though, he’s more than capable of delivering on those accounts. Minnesota dealt Liriano at the beginning of a very unfortunate downtown. They continue to reap the rewards as the club pushes for relevancy once again.

 

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[jun]

Escobar should be at least an average fielder. He is not making as many errors as Polanco though.

[Dantes929]

"That being said, the 2017 Twins wouldn’t be in a position to make September baseball interesting without the contributions of their Venezuelan utility man.

When the dust settles, Eduardo Escobar is never going to be a game changer for a big league team."

 

Kind of funny.   I can't help but notice that in consecutive sentences you said that for the 2017 Twins Escobar has been a game changer and that Escobar is never going to be a game changer.  Paraphrasing of course.    I have never really liked watching Escobar play and I have no idea why but I still believe your first sentence I quoted which is that when Sano went down, Escobar stepped up.    I don't know what the R in WAR would have been without Escobar but I am guessing it would not have ended up with a few more losses in a very tight battle.

[RedBull34]

I'm guessing the R would have been Niko.

[Respy]

I know there was some talk in the offseason over whether to bring back Escobar via arbitration, or just non-tender him.  Overall, he's been a necessary piece both on the piece and in the clubhouse.  His numbers never pop, but he can go on short streaks or completely dominate a game.  He's been especially valuable filling in when Sano has been out or benched, and also when there's an opposing lefty starter.  That said, it will be hard again going into this offseason to say whether he should be on the roster next year.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Weird stat to note about Escobar. While his 2015 and 2017 seasons look very similar in BA, OBP, and SLG, how he got there is really strange.

 

2015: 31 2B, 4 3B, 12 HR

2017: 13 2B, 4 3B, 15 HR

 

*scratches head*

[ThejacKmp]

Escobar has been fine this year but if its him or Adrianza next year, it should absolutely be Adrianza. The Twins aren't going to need a utility guy who can fill in for long periods of time because guys like Nick Gordon will be in the upper minors. If they lose a Sano/Polanco/Dozier for a few weeks, they'll have better options in AAA.

 

Adrianza is a better glove and is not cringe-worthy in the outfield. He's a better baserunner and a true late inning defensive sub. His bat has been good this year but that's a short sample and who knows if it will stay. But he's better at everything else than Escobar and that's what matters.

 

Plus Adriana will be like $4 million cheaper. Easy call.

[bighat]

Dude's going to get like 75 RBI this year. Crazy for a utility-guy. Love Escobar, heart and soul of the team. 

[iTwins]

 

Escobar has been fine this year but if its him or Adrianza next year, it should absolutely be Adrianza. The Twins aren't going to need a utility guy who can fill in for long periods of time because guys like Nick Gordon will be in the upper minors. If they lose a Sano/Polanco/Dozier for a few weeks, they'll have better options in AAA.

 

Adrianza is a better glove and is not cringe-worthy in the outfield. He's a better baserunner and a true late inning defensive sub. His bat has been good this year but that's a short sample and who knows if it will stay. But he's better at everything else than Escobar and that's what matters.

 

Plus Adriana will be like $4 million cheaper. Easy call.

 

Came here to say exactly this. Escobar is one of my favorites, but if it's an either / or battle with Adrianza, give me the better glove. As we've seen this season, defense goes a long way towards playing better baseball. 

[Seth Stohs]

Quick poll on what the Twins should do with Escobar this offseason. What do you think?

 

 

[USAFChief]

He stays on a one year deal. He's better than Adrianza.

[blindeke]

All I know is: it was a good trade.

[Linus]

All I know is: it was a good trade.

Kind of a below the radar TR fleecing. Esco for one month of bad Liriano.

[jun]

Adrianza is slightly better at fielding, but he is a weak bat and has no power, he should never be in the starting lineup of any major league team. Escobar is an average fielder, he can definitely start against left-handed pitchers. Escobar over Adrianza, no doubt about it.

[Mike Sixel]

I too prefer Escobar over Adrianza, or Goodrum.

[jun]

Of the three, Polanco is the worst fielder and best hitter, Adrianza is the best fielder and worst hitter, Escobar should have the most pop and his fielding and speed are both adequate.

[Shaitan]

I think most teams need two back-up infielders. I don't understand this either/or debate. The problem for the Twins is that they carry too many relievers. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

Came here to say exactly this. Escobar is one of my favorites, but if it's an either / or battle with Adrianza, give me the better glove. As we've seen this season, defense goes a long way towards playing better baseball. 

 

I think this year Escobar has made sense. The Twins were pretty bare in the upper minors with the left side of the infield and Sano isn't exactly a 155 game player so far in his career. Escobar has been a valuable backup.

 

Next year is just different. Any injury should lead to Nick Gordon getting the playing time, not Escobar. And they even have Vielma in the picture if his glove is good enough to make up for a weak bat (I was sad to see him struggle in AAA because I love his game. He needs more time but may top out as a 25th man type).

 

This year Escobar is more valuable. Next year, I don't think that's true. I think there's likely to be a trade market (nothing major but a piece) for him in the offseason on a tender-and-trade. Adrianza can be a backup defensive player and pinch runner.

[mikelink45]

No one is ready to push Excobar off the team, no one else has his combination of skills and he has been terrific regardless of how we choose to use him.  I know he is not a starter long term, but what would we have done without him stepping in at 3B this year and even hitting in key 3/4 positions in the lineup.  

Being steady, reliable and a veteran presence is worth a lot. 

[RedBull34]

I also hope the Twins keep him for next year. He's a good presence, and our only Latino position veteran.

[drjim]

Not exactly fun to talk about, but Sano has missed significant time the past two seasons. Really nice to have an acceptable backup. Lets Sano DH as well.

 

I suspect there is enough room on the roster for Escobar and Adrianza.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Not exactly fun to talk about, but Sano has missed significant time the past two seasons. Really nice to have an acceptable backup. Lets Sano DH as well.

 

I suspect there is enough room on the roster for Escobar and Adrianza.

 

Nunez.....

[yarnivek1972]

 

Not exactly fun to talk about, but Sano has missed significant time the past two seasons. Really nice to have an acceptable backup. Lets Sano DH as well.

 

I suspect there is enough room on the roster for Escobar and Adrianza.

 

It gets dicey with a 13 man pitching staff.  Even with 12, you have just 4 bench players.  If two of them are infielders, that leaves one outfielder and a back up catcher.  

 

Sure Escobar has gotten some key hits and some key homeruns, but let's not pretend that we aren't talking about a guy who has a .740 OPS and it is close to his career BEST.  All the Twins regulars except their catchers are either already higher than that or likely will be by season's end.  Meaning, that even at Escobar's BEST, he really isn't good enough to be in the lineup ahead of anyone.  Sure, he is nice back up.  But so is Adrianza.  Adrianza lacks HR power, but he provides speed and contact.  I guess I would prefer a HR threat on my bench to be a big time threat (you know, what a lot of us HOPE Vargas could be).

 

There are also payroll considerations.  Escobar isn't going to make a ton by any stretch, but it will likely be $ 3- $ 5 mil in 2018.  If the Twins pay him, there is that much less available for pitching.

[DocBauer]

I am a fan of Escobar and admit it. He has hit above .250 now 3 of 4 years with an OB above .300. To my eye, he is solid defensively, if not great. 2 of his 4 seasons he has double digit HR. He runs well, though not a real SB threat. We can talk OPS, but we are also talking about a role player, not a full time starter.

 

I also like Adrianza and speculated we may have found an interesting player way back in ST. He's better with the glove, has some speed and SB ability and has been quite productive. But he remains less proven than Escobar. (Though I suspect he's the real deal).

 

Why isn't there room for both? 2 catchers, 4 INF, 4 OF, 2 utility players and one additional guy to DH, play a spot and DH, etc. That's 13 position players with a lot of position flexibility. What's more important, an extra bat on a team with a deep, versatile and talented lineup, or pure flexibility? That might be what it comes down to.

 

I love Goodrum's potential as a very useful and versatile player. But I just wouldn't bank on him at this point, and think we're better off keeping both Escobar and Adrianza at this point.

[Shaitan]

Have the Twins had a 20 HR utility player? Todd Walker, maybe?

[Rosterman]

In some ways, you are comfortable going into the off-season with Dozier as a tradechip if you could replace him with Polanco and keep Escobar at short and know Nick Gordon is coming up, and Ehire is a reserve for now. 

 

What I'm afriad of is that the Twins field staff and Front office are falling in love with people like Gimenez, Colon, Escobar, Ehire, Grossman and any number of relief pitchers. We should still have a looksee at Palka this September )could he and Granite, say, replace Rosario and Grossman if used as trade chips).  Who is at DH, Vargas, or is Park still in the mix. Would we rather see Jake Reed than Tonkin or Boshers or whomever. Not to mention Enns.

[drjim]

In some ways, you are comfortable going into the off-season with Dozier as a tradechip if you could replace him with Polanco and keep Escobar at short and know Nick Gordon is coming up, and Ehire is a reserve for now.

 

What I'm afriad of is that the Twins field staff and Front office are falling in love with people like Gimenez, Colon, Escobar, Ehire, Grossman and any number of relief pitchers. We should still have a looksee at Palka this September )could he and Granite, say, replace Rosario and Grossman if used as trade chips). Who is at DH, Vargas, or is Park still in the mix. Would we rather see Jake Reed than Tonkin or Boshers or whomever. Not to mention Enns.

Palka wouldn't see the field. They are trying to win.

 

Same with Reed, have him go to extended and prepare for next year. Tonkin is going to be an emergency mop up man, good chance he doesn't even pitch this month (at least in a game that matters).

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

We should still have a looksee at Palka this September )could he and Granite, say, replace Rosario and Grossman if used as trade chips). 

Palka is a left-handed batter who finished his AAA season with a .759 OPS. There's no place for him on a team that's trying to win in September.

 

Granite/Palka would be a huge downgrade from Rosario/Grossman. You gain a little defense with Granite but lose a ton of offense. With Palka, you probably remain defensively neutral (Palka might be worse than Grossman) but again, likely lose quite a bit of offense.

[jorgenswest]

In some ways, you are comfortable going into the off-season with Dozier as a tradechip if you could replace him with Polanco and keep Escobar at short and know Nick Gordon is coming up, and Ehire is a reserve for now. 

 

What I'm afriad of is that the Twins field staff and Front office are falling in love with people like Gimenez, Colon, Escobar, Ehire, Grossman and any number of relief pitchers. We should still have a looksee at Palka this September )could he and Granite, say, replace Rosario and Grossman if used as trade chips).  Who is at DH, Vargas, or is Park still in the mix. Would we rather see Jake Reed than Tonkin or Boshers or whomever. Not to mention Enns.

What valuable would be learned in a September look? The Twins have had eyes on them all year. A September sample is not going to add anything worthwhile. Wins, on the other hand, are worthwhile. They need to give themselves the best chance to win each game.

[Shaitan]

 

It gets dicey with a 13 man pitching staff.  Even with 12, you have just 4 bench players.  If two of them are infielders, that leaves one outfielder and a back up catcher.  

 

Sure Escobar has gotten some key hits and some key homeruns, but let's not pretend that we aren't talking about a guy who has a .740 OPS and it is close to his career BEST.  All the Twins regulars except their catchers are either already higher than that or likely will be by season's end.  Meaning, that even at Escobar's BEST, he really isn't good enough to be in the lineup ahead of anyone.  Sure, he is nice back up.  But so is Adrianza.  Adrianza lacks HR power, but he provides speed and contact.  I guess I would prefer a HR threat on my bench to be a big time threat (you know, what a lot of us HOPE Vargas could be).

 

There are also payroll considerations.  Escobar isn't going to make a ton by any stretch, but it will likely be $ 3- $ 5 mil in 2018.  If the Twins pay him, there is that much less available for pitching.

With the 10 day DL, I think that's less of an issue.

 

Adrianza, Escobar, and even Giminez have played OF if they really need to call on a 5th OF (and Sano, I guess). While they aren't everyday quality out there, they can take the field for 1-2 days. It's only if there's a nagging, non-DL injury where a second OF back-up is needed. That is, if Grossman is the 4th OF and he isn't DHing. 

 

I'd like to see a new full-time DH next year, pushing Grossman to the bench. Not sure who would back up CF then if they only carry 4. If 5, Granite.