Atlanta Braves Trade Candidate: Eduardo Escobar

We take a look at a possible trade candidate for the Atlanta Braves this offseason in Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar.

As the Atlanta Braves continue their search for a couple of bats in the lineup, we try to help them out by doing the research for them.

Today we’ll look at Eduardo Escobar from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He’s certainly someone we’ve talked about in the past and a player that I like. With the Dodgers and Padres certainly separating themselves in the NL West, it might be time for the Diamondbacks to start rebuilding.

I know that’s a hard pill to swallow for them after the moves they made last offseason to try and become contenders, but that’s the reality.

And anyway, Escobar is entering his thirties and only under team control through the 2021 season. He’s coming off a down year and not part of the team’s future.

Of course, the Diamondbacks could hope that he bounces back in 2021 and either helps them become a postseason contender or regain his value for a better trade return at the deadline.

I still think it serves them best to move him now if they can and get something.

Why would the Braves want Eduardo Escobar?

Although he hit just .212 in 54 games during the 2020 season, I think you have to take last season with a grain of salt — good or bad.

From 2017-2019 he had an average OPS+ of 110 and he normally slashes around .265/.330/.460 with 20-plus home runs.

A switch-hitter, but he’s hit a good bit better from the right side throughout his career.

A couple of other things that make him attractive is that he only costs $7.6 million in 2021 and then will be a free agent, and he’s capable of playing all over the infield.

I’d say he’s an average defender at third and slightly below-average at second. It would have to be an emergency situation to play him at shortstop at this point in his career.

I would imagine he could also play some first base if needed.

He doesn’t strike out a ton for today’s standards as he’s only struck out over 100 times twice in his career.

I don’t know what the cost would be for Escobar. Maybe one of the Braves pitching prospects like Bryse Wilson and a C-level prospect.

It can’t be much at this point, which is why the Diamondbacks may just decide to hold onto him since he’s not that expensive and could regain some value during the season.

And as I’m writing this on January 5, it’s Eduardo Escobar’s birthday! He turns 32 and will obviously play the 2021 season at that age.

We know Alex Anthopoulos loves taking guys on one-year deals who are looking to re-establish value, and that’s essentially what you have with Escobar.

I’m not sure I love this move for the Braves if they did it — there are still some moves out there I’d prefer, but I certainly wouldn’t hate trading for him.