Braves Trade Escobar for Gonzo

[EmpireWF]

Braves sent SS Yunel Escobar and RHP Jo Jo Reyes to Toronto for SS Alex Gonzalez and a pair of prospects {LHP Tim Collins and SS Tyler Pastornicky}.

The Jays now have Escobar under contract through 2013 while Gonzalez is playing on a one-year deal worth $2.75 million with a $2.5 million club option for 2011.

Reyes has been a prospect for Atlanta but he has never put it together and I believe Toronto optioned him to double-A.

With the deal, Atlanta sells low on Escobar hoping they get some power from Gonzo along with his gold-glove caliber defense. The Blue Jays sell on their veteran and get a player who was at one point considered one of the top young SS in the majors.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Seems like a pretty low price, no? Alex has been great this year, but we're getting a great young short stop who just seems to be having a rough go at it this year. Hopefully a change of scenery will be good for him. I like the deal.. Gonzo doesnt have much future with us, Escobar could be starting at SS for years to come.

[PP]

idk why Gonzo gets moved around so much. Hes so solid.

[Primetime]

Loved Escobar last year because he was one of the most clutch players in the game. Getting Gonzalez is a great pick up for the Braves along with Collins and Pastornicky. I've been impressed with the little bit I've seen of Collins and you can never have too much pitching, especially south paws. Gonzalez should bring the power numbers and ability to drive runs in that will only compliment the Braves studded line-up. With such a great pitching staff, the Braves only need a few runs a game and Gonzalez can be the guy that keeps us in 1st place.

[EmpireWF]

Gonzalez can be the guy that keeps us in 1st place.

[Primetime]

[killgod]

Seems like a pretty low price, no? Alex has been great this year, but we're getting a great young short stop who just seems to be having a rough go at it this year. Hopefully a change of scenery will be good for him. I like the deal.. Gonzo doesnt have much future with us, Escobar could be starting at SS for years to come.

Did the Jays not sign Adeinis Hechavarria to be the SS of the future? Last I heard they were in front of the Yankees to sign him, but not sure if it ever happened.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Did the Jays not sign Adeinis Hechavarria to be the SS of the future? Last I heard they were in front of the Yankees to sign him, but not sure if it ever happened.

I never did hear if a deal was ever finalized..

[killgod]

I never did hear if a deal was ever finalized..

Took a bit of digging on the web, he did sign in April at 8M over 4 years.

Currently playing in New Hampshire.



If he is the potential guy to come up, I suppose he'll be ready in 2-4 years. So Escobar should be the guy for the next 3-4 years then.

[FirstTimer]

Yunel is slugging .284 this season? Holy shit...

[Warner2BruceTD]

You people are on crack.

Alex Gonzalez is one of the worst offensive players of this generation. His career oba hovers around .270, and he's anaging player who's once fantastic defense has slipped some due to decreased range.

He has 17HR's , which iis a total fluke, and will struggle to get to 25. The Braves got raped, and I'm not even a big fan of Escobar.

[USCChifan]

idk why Gonzo gets moved around so much. Hes so solid.

He doesn't walk, he has a low OBP, and besides this season he hasn't hit in the past few seasons

[USCChifan]

The Braves sold low on Escobar, and he was having a bad season but if he can return to his 2009 form the Blue Jays will have a solid SS. But Escobar never hustled, he pissed off his coaches and team mates, and his defense has been below average this season

[Warner2BruceTD]

This isn't so much Braves selling low as Toronto selling high. The fact they got anythign at all for Alex f'n Gonzalez is a win.

[killgod]

You people are on crack.

Alex Gonzalez is one of the worst offensive players of this generation. His career oba hovers around .270, and he's anaging player who's once fantastic defense has slipped some due to decreased range.

He has 17HR's , which iis a total fluke, and will struggle to get to 25. The Braves got raped, and I'm not even a big fan of Escobar.

Based on this season alone, he's played quite well.

Toronto is a free swinging aggressive team which allowed him to have that power. His defensive play has been exceptional to be honest. He's been nothing short of what we lost in Scutaro last year, who was also exceptional defensively.

I'm not too familiar with him outside of Toronto, but he's been quite consistent this year with his production and defensive play. He is on pace for career highs across the board and should help Atlanta this season, possibly for one more.

The true winner of the deal will be determined by 2 factors

-Can Gonzalez continue his steady play and carry into his option year so they have decent SS play until they get their next.

and

-Can Escobar bounce back from this horrible season and give the Jays at least 2 quality years.


If he assists the Braves in winning a WS, there's no way Atlanta loses on this trade, which I believe why it was made. History suggests Toronto will certainly come out the winner, but Atlanta needed the improvement at SS as their team is playing very well, and if they get it....it's the right move for right now.