Article: REPORT: Twins to Trade Eduardo Escobar to Arizona

[Tom Froemming]

Multiple reports have confirmed that the Twins and Diamondbacks are in agreement on a deal that would send Eduardo Escobar to Arizona. Here's the return: Jhoan Duran, Ernie De La Trinidad and Gabriel Maciel.

 

There has been a lot of debate at the site the past few days about how things should play out as Tuesday's tread deadline approaches. If this deal is indeed finalized, it seems to be a clear indication the direction the team has chosen.News the two sides were close was originally relayed by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Twitter. Jon Heyman of Fancred confirmed there was indeed a deal being finalized.

 

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 has shared that three Diamondbacks minor leaguers will be headed over, though we're still waiting for names.

 

UPDATE: Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports has the details. The Twins are acquiring right-hander Jhoan Duran and outfielders Ernie De La Trinidad and Gabriel Maciel.

 

Over the past seven seasons, we've watched as Eduardo Escobar has blossomed from a pretty nondescript utility man into an everyday player who's on pace to set the all-time doubles record this year. It's been a fun journey, and I can only speak for myself, but he's a guy who I feel has endeared himself to the fans much more than the average ballplayer.

 

He was less of a professional baseball player who I enjoyed watching and more like a character on my favorite TV show. Always smiling, always having fun, always playing hard. And an entertainer to boot! Arizona is getting a good one.

 

Whether it was his play on the diamond, those great Escobar Name Game videos or him talking about Fogo de Chao in all his postgame interviews (there's one in Scottsdale, I checked), Eduardo will be sorely missed across Twins Territory.

 

According to MLB Pipeline, Maciel ranked No. 11 in Arizona's system and Duran was the Diamondbacks 19th-best prospect. De La Trinidada was not listed among their top 30. In Baseball America's most-recent update of the Arizona rankings, Duran slotted in at No. 10. All three of those players were with Kane County, Arizona's affiliate in the Midwest League (same as the Cedar Rapids Kernels).

 

Here are links to their respective Baseball-Reference pages if you want to scope out their numbers: Jhoan Duran, Gabriel Macial and Ernie De La Trinidad.

 

This is difficult to do in the moment, but if you take your heart out of the equation, you have to recognize that Escobar is exactly the kind of player who it makes sense to deal at the deadline. Not only is he an impending free agent, but he's in the middle of a career year. Escobar's current OPS, .852, is nearly 100 points higher than he's posted in any other season and 130 points higher than his career mark.

 

UPDATE: He's not making it any easier to say goodbye ...

The Twins were riding high on the heels of an impressive 2-1 win at Boston last night, but their playoff odds still sat at just 1.6 percent, per FanGraphs. They are seven games back of Cleveland, who recently took measures to build up its biggest weakness.

 

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[Han Joelo]

Sweet jeebus.  I hope it is John Ryan Murphy or Chris Hermann.

[Brandon]

****

[Brandon]

I get throwing in the towel when we are 10 or more games back. But I hate the quit when we still have a chance. We better be getting a good return here. Its a good thing i am not a season ticket holder either. I would be demanding my money back for my remaining tickets.

[Rosterman]

Who's on third?

[SirLoin]

If the term "Cash Considerations" is uttered, I swear to God.....

[operation mindcrime]

We're getting three prospects for him. Good luck Eduardo!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 propects coming back per Gambadoro

https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/1022942114206937089

 

Depends, but I'm glad to have gotten prospects back for 2 months of Esco - now I hope Falvine re-signs him in the offseason.

[ahart10]

Dozier to Milwaukee is next I would imagine

[terrydactyls]

I get throwing in the towel when we are 10 or more games back. But I hate the quit when we still have a chance. We better be getting a good return here. Its a good thing i am not a season ticket holder either. I would be demanding my money back for my remaining tickets.

 

A "chance?" Three prospects for a pending for a pending free agent who is currently playing far above his historical average is exactly what the front office should be doing. I hope they can do the same with Dozier.

[mrmpls]

confirmed---- Dbacks gave up Gabriel Maciel, Ernie De La Trinidad and Jhoan Duran to get Escobar from Twins.

[drew_7726]

Sad to see Esky go but glad to get something for him instead of nothing. Hopefully we can resign him in the offseason!!!!

[John Bonnes]

 

confirmed---- Dbacks gave up Gabriel Maciel, Ernie De La Trinidad and Jhoan Duran to get Escobar from Twins.

 

Do you have a link?

[Monkeypaws]

Bittersweet - all depends on the return.

 

Well, they sold high, which is all you can ask of management.

[redstorm]

[operation mindcrime]

Once again I'm unable to like or quote people's comments. I like Sconnie's post @ 09:47 PM & I like terrydactyls1947 @ 09:59 PM!

[SF Twins Fan]

So the Twins got two more outfielder and RHP who currently has a WHIP of 1.50..... Sounds like a terrible trade. The Twins don't need more OF.

[redstorm]

Looks like a rough comparison in terms of Twins prospects would be:

 

Pearson

Balazovic

Jean Carlos Arias

[MN_ExPat]

Well, #11, #19 and I couldn’t find the other guy. Hope it works out for us, and wish you well Esco, we’ miss you.

[clutchhittin18]

 

According to mlb's site Duran and Maciel are top 20 prospects (#19 & #11 respectively) for the D-Backs, and Fangraphs has them at #14 & #15 respectively.  Add in the throw in of De La Trinidad and I don't think it's an awful return for a rental.

[Puckett34]

The Twins are running out of Ed's.

[tvagle]

I think it's mighty nice of the Twins to bring in a mixed up Johan prior to putting Johan Santana in the Twins Hall of Fame....

 

Brilliant!

[Monkeypaws]

Here is an article on Duran. He's a big kid, 6'5", 20 years old.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/sports/ct-abn-spt-baseball-cougars-jhoan-duran-st-0611-story.html

 

Pretty good get imo.

Edited July 27, 2018 by Monkeypaws

[adorduan]

just a quick look at the players stats, looks pretty meh.... to me.  hope they can resign him in the offseason..

[clutchhittin18]

 

just a quick look at the players stats, looks pretty meh.... to me.  hope they can resign him in the offseason..

So hitting .311/.403/.442 with 8 HR, 56 RBI, and a 45/48 BB/K ratio (De La Trinidad) is meh...What do you think is good?

[gman]

I expected to see Escobar traded, but if this is the best we can get I don't hold much hope out for the trade prospects of our other short term assets. I really would not want to trade Gibson or Pressly since we have another year left with them, although I recognize our return could be greater. 

Amazing that we couldn't even break into another teams top 10 prospects. So disappointing.

[AlwaysinModeration]

The AJ Pierzynski trade keeps on giving (Nathan/Bonser/Liriano --> Escobar --> Duran/Maciel. 

 

Sad to see Escobar go, he's been a real spark plug for this team.  However, I love this move, because:

 

1)Sano is coming back to man third

2)Escobar is playing above is head

3)They targeted high upside guys...Duran could be great, Maciel could be the third Brazilian player

4)Traded to NL, don't need to worry about it biting the team

 

And I don't think we have to assume this means punt on the season.  While Escobar brought fire to this team...remember that they have gone 13-5 in their past 18, and last year they got hot after Kintzler was traded.

 

I give this trade an A.

 

[rujellis]

As long as they started with Escobar, I say you might as well go all in with the blow up.  

 

I had the thought that if its only Lynn, Rodney, Duke, etc. than Twins are keeping the core intact just in case we get hot, but also trying to open up time for youngsters too.  

 

But you start by getting rid of a core guy like Escobar, and I hope they go all the way with it.  Get creative and allow the entire 40 man to re-shuffle.

 

I do pause a bit on Gibson given we have needed pitching for so many years, but I won't be heartbroken either.    

[Platoon]

They get the MiLB players, and they get the same shot at resigning Eddie this winter as they have now.

[slash129]

Garver benefits and gets to hit cleanup tonight.