Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

The affiliates split their games last night behind a trio of solid starting pitching performances and an abbreviated outing from Chad Jenkins, who was returning from injury and on a pitch count.

Las Vegas 7 @ Tucson 4 – Boxscore

Travis d’Arnaud let the offensive attack with three hits, including a double, a run and an RBI. Batting in front of him, Adam Lind was 2-for-4 with a double, a sac fly, a run and an RBI. The other new 51, Eric Thames, batted behind d’Arnaud and was also 2-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs scored and a walk. Yan Gomes added a double and 2 RBI. Danny Perales and Chris Woodward each notched doubles and Jonathan Diaz and Anthony Gose each added singles. Gose stole his 24th base. Moises Sierra was the only player in the lineup held hitless.

Andrew Carpenter continued to prove himself a solid addition to the Las Vegas rotation. He went 5 innings and allowed two runs on six hits. Both of the runs scored on solo homers. Carpenter didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine. Jim Hoey pitched a scoreless inning of relief and then Evan Crawford allowed two runs, one earned, over four hits in 1.2 innings. Jerry Gil retired the only batter he faced and then Chad Beck picked up his eighth save.

New Britain 7 @ New Hampshire 2 – Boxscore

Unheralded BJ Hermesen came one out short of pitching a complete game and kept the Fisher Cats bats at bay, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks. Brian Bocock went 2-for-4 and was the only Fisher Cat to have a multi-hit game. Bocock, Mark Sobolewski and Brian Van Kirk all notched doubles. The latter two scored New Hampshire’s runs and Van Kirk and Mike McDade picked up the RBIs. Five Fisher Cats in yesterday’s starting lineup – Bocock, McDade, Ryan Goins, Kevin Howard and Sean Ochinko – are all hitting over .300.

Chad Jenkins fell to 2-4 by allowing two runs over 4 innings. He gave up three hits and a walk and didn’t strike out a batter. The bullpen didn’t fare any better and experienced uniform struggles with their control. Scott Gracey gave up two runs on two hits and four walks in 2 innings of relief. Danny Farquhar reversed that by walking two and surrendering four hits, along with three runs, over 1.1 innings. He only threw 21 of 40 pitches for strikes, which is just a slightly better percentage than Matt Wright, who followed him and threw 14 of 29 pitchers across the plate.

Lakeland 4 @ Dunedin 3 – Boxscore

Casey Lawrence continues to have a very strong under-the-radar season for Dunedin. He lowered his ERA to 2.85 by throwing 7.1 innings of one-run ball. Lawrence allowed four hits and didn’t walk a batter. He struck out four and retired 11 of 15 batters on balls in play on groundouts. However, Boomer Potts faced three batters, retired only one, and allowed a run. Dustin Antolin got out of the inning. Still, Dunedin held a 3-2 lead and turned the ball over to trusted closer Danny Barnes. Barnes allowed a single to top prospect Nick Castellanos and then retired the next two batters. Unfortunately, Barnes then allowed a two-run homer to James Robbins and Lakeland took the lead.

First baseman Gabe Jacobo was handed the leadoff spot and responded with a 2-for-4 evening that included an RBI. Jon Talley and Ryan Schmipf were each 2-for-4 with a double. Vladimir Guerrero was 1-for-5 with a single and Kevin Nolan was 1-for-5 with a homer. Jack Murphy added a triple and Marcus Knecht was held hitless, but drew two walks. The D-Jays were 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Lansing 6 @ Bowling Green 4 (10 innings) – Boxscore

Marcus Walden continued his record of strong Wednesday performances by turning in another quality start for the Lugnuts. Walden went 6 innings and allowed two runs. He gave up four hits and two walks, but struck out four and retired all 12 batters on balls in play on ground balls. Javier Avendano struck out one over 2 hitless innings of relief.

Meanwhile, Lansing had a great opportunity to score in the 3rd inning by getting Markus Brisker to third base with none out before Shane Optiz walked. Bowling Green almost got out of it as Kevin Pillar lined out and nearly turned a double play at third, but the catch was missed and, while Brisker held, Optiz advanced to second. However, Carlos Perez struck out and the opportunity almost fell by the wayside before Chris Hawkins singled home both runners with two out.

The Lugnuts didn’t get another runner to second until the 8th inning, when Hawkins doubled with two out and was promptly stranded. In the top of the ninth, Kevin Patterson was hit by pitch with one out and Kenny Wilson came in to pinch run. Wilson advanced to third on a passed ball and then Gustavo Pierre and Brisker both walked to load the bases. Optiz lined out and then Pillar was hit by a pitch, to give Lansing the lead. Then something happened – and I’m not sure exactly what – but it resulted in Brisker being thrown out at home 7-2-3-6, after Pierre scored, and Carlos Perez still at bat. As long as it had taken the Lugnuts to work that lead, it was gone in a couple of minutes when Ajay Meyer gave up back-to-back solo homers to begin the bottom of the ninth and tie the game.

In the top of the 10th, Perez and Hawkins were retired and it looked as if the Lugnuts may need to play multiple extra innings to win the game. Then Andy Burns doubled and Bowling Green decided to walk KC Hobson to face Wilson. With the weight on his shoulders, Wilson made them pay by tripling in both Burns and Hobson. Pierre was retired, but the two-run lead was restored and Blake McFarland preserved it with an infield pop fly and two strikeouts.

Three Stars:
3rd Star – Andrew Carpenter, 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
2nd Star – Marcus Walden, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
1st Star – Casey Lawrence, 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Posted by Thomas on Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:17 AM EDT.

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The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

Maldoff - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:22 AM EDT (#257444) #

Anyone know what is going on with Jake Marisnick? He hasn't played in a game since May 24th, but hasn't been put on the DL yet.

Mike Green - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:32 AM EDT (#257446) #

It sure would be nice to have a "real OBP" statistic. A player like Gose reaches base much more than most others by way of error and catcher's interference (like last night), and it either counts against him (error) or doesn't count (catcher's interference) in the official OBP. Anyways, his official line last night was 1-4, but he had a good game- two line drives (one for an out), two ground balls, one reach on catcher's interference and best of all no Ks.

The 51s have a pretty impressive lineup when Gose, Hechavarria, d'Arnaud, Lind, Thames and Gomes are all there. They are now 6 games out after a terrible start. They will probably be around the pennant race in August if the core remains there, but the odds are against that.

China fan - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:38 AM EDT (#257450) #

Mike, which of the Las Vegas core are you predicting for the first promotions?

Could be an interesting Batters Box poll question too.

Mike Green - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:48 AM EDT (#257452) #

Probably Hechavarria. The major issue is likely to be the health of the players on the big club, and so Hechavarria probably has double the odds of any other player. They might recall a player like Gomes to platoon with Cooper.

85bluejay - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 10:22 AM EDT (#257457) #

With the Jays playing the interleague schedule , I'm almost certain Yan Gomes and his versatility will be up as soon as possible - likely before the Atlanta series - Hech depends on one of the MI going on the DL & it's looking less likely .

Does Jesse Chavez still have options ? because I think he would be claimed if exposed to waivers, so the Jays may be stuck with him in the BP - if a starter is required I hope he gets a shot

85bluejay - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 10:28 AM EDT (#257458) #

Of course, with Laffey demoted, a replacement will be here for Boston series, likely a position player & Gomes 10 days waiting period rules him out & if it were Hech then I think McCoy would have been sent down - interesting?

John Northey - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 11:01 AM EDT (#257461) #

If Snider was healthy I'd expect him, if Lind was believed to have learned stuff then him, if JPA hadn't started hitting then d'Arnaud. However, I don't see any of those 3 being the situation. Gomes is by far the ideal one, but he has 5 days left on his minor league required stay.

That leaves Gose and his ability to change a game in an instant (defense, speed). But it seems too soon to do that.

If they are risk taking, Mike McDade would be interesting from AA as he has power but not a lot of patience. Brian Bocock is a backup infielder they could call up too, just 9 games this year but some ML experience and can play SS and 2B.

Anders - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 11:22 AM EDT (#257464) #

The team might recall Lind, because he's hit well, but let's face it, two weeks in the minors is not enough time to overcome what essentially was two years of just poor hitting in the majors.

I'd be surprised if Gose or d'Arnaud are called up any time before the fall, with Gose because he's still quite raw (though his walk and strikeout numbers both look good), and d'Arnaud because they have an acceptable option with Arencibia and I'm sure they want some time to figure that out. My bet is on Adeiny, just because Vizquel, veteran presence aside, really isn't very good, and because of the injuries to the two middle infielders.

Side note, what do people think will eventually happen with Escobar/Hech at short? It would be a shame to lose Kelly Johnson, but it seems to me like Escobar to second, Hech to short is the obvious solution after this year.

Super Bluto - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 11:27 AM EDT (#257465) #

it will be interesting to see if Lind can keep this up in LV. It's probably no surprise that he's improved, but even with the PCL discount, his improvement has been so far pretty incredible. Has anyone heard of adjustments, etc? Could he simply be realizing that if he doesn't get it together then he's going to be out of a job?

92-93 - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 11:31 AM EDT (#257466) #

Rios to CF and Vernon to a corner was the obvious solution as well but never implemented. There's a lot more to the decision than just saying Hechavarria is a better defensive SS than Escobar so let's immediately make the switch.

China fan - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 11:41 AM EDT (#257469) #

If Escobar doesn't remember how to hit, I don't want him at 2B. He's only had one good hitting season since 2009. Let's see if he turns it around this year -- it's still too early to draw conclusions -- but I'm not sure if he's hitting strongly enough to justify 2B. (Arguably his OBP made him useful in 2010 too, but perhaps only as a SS, not anywhere else in the lineup.) If there's no improvement in Escobar's hitting, and if Hech is ready, the Jays should trade Escobar to a team that needs a shortstop (his greatest trade value), and make every effort to sign KJ to a new contract.

John Northey - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:04 PM EDT (#257472) #

When it comes to kids at SS I remember in the late 80's, early 90's how the Jays had a great SS in Fernandez and a guy who might have been as good or better at SS in Manny Lee but kept Lee at 2B as long as Fernandez was there, then moved him to SS for 91/92, both playoff years and one a WS winning year.

So if Adeiny is at 2B to start, don't worry. We'll have premium defense up the middle and he can shift to SS in a few years if/when Escobar moves on. For now though, might as well enjoy Johnson having a great year.

I doubt we'll see Hechavarria until September though unless one of Johnson or Escobar go on the DL.

John Northey - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:10 PM EDT (#257473) #

Speaking of Rios and Wells...

Rios: 283/337/429 - 766 for a 106 OPS+
Wells: 244/282/422 - 704 for a 96 OPS+

Rios continues his recent pattern of decent year, horrid year - OPS+ of 113-79-111-64-106 for the past 5 seasons. The 2 before that were his all-star seasons of 120 OPS+, the 2 before that his no-star seasons of 85 OPS+. The White Sox owe him $12 this year, $12.5 in '13,'14 plus a $1 mil buyout for '15 (or pay him $13.5).

Wells has recovered a bit, but still is hitting poorly for a LF, especially for one making over $20 mil a year. Like Wells he has alternated but his were solid-bad... 129-85-123-86-125-82-96 ... so he should improve more if he wants to keep that pattern up but at 33 it might be hard. LAA owe him $21 mil this year, next and the year after.

Nice reminder of how lucky the Jays are not to have to pay $33 mil to those two each year for the next few years.

Mike Green - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:11 PM EDT (#257474) #

Escobar's start in 2012 has not been great, but the problems seem to me to be eminently fixable. His walk/K numbers are as always fine. He is putting the ball on the ground way too much, given his only average speed and his significant power. It's a weird thing. He has only two homers this year, but both have been over 430 feet and two of the longer homers in the major leagues this year. A few more line drives, a few more fly balls and less ground balls (knocked down from 65% to 50%) and he should be in clover.

MatO - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:48 PM EDT (#257476) #

Wells is on the DL for 8-10 weeks because of surgery on his right thumb.

uglyone - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:54 PM EDT (#257478) #

With Escobar and KJ healthy, and Vizquel and McCoy on the current roster, calling up Hech would be something of a waste, no?

Given the situation - only 3 OF on the roster and one of them being a pure platoon bat vs. LHP, I think it's time to give Gose his first cup of coffee in the bigs, knowing full well that he's getting sent right back down in a week or two no matter how well he does.

I don't think any other callup makes any sense at all, to be honest.

hypobole - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 12:55 PM EDT (#257479) #

As far as Adam Lind's "improvement", we're talking a very small sample size. He's also faced almost all RH pitchers, 1.237 OPS. Against lefties, he has 1 single in 6 AB's .310 OPS.

Matthew E - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:01 PM EDT (#257480) #

When it comes to kids at SS I remember in the late 80's, early 90's how the Jays had a great SS in Fernandez and a guy who might have been as good or better at SS in Manny Lee but kept Lee at 2B as long as Fernandez was there, then moved him to SS for 91/92, both playoff years and one a WS winning year.

Really? You think? I wouldn't have said so.

85bluejay - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:08 PM EDT (#257481) #

Mark me in the Trade Escobar camp 100% - moving him to 2nd lessens his value & another team will value his SS defense more & Escobar is a sensitive guy whom I don't think will take a move to 2nd well - I see a Bell like pout & Hech to 2nd robs the team of the best use of its assets - find a 2nd somewhere else.

I take the same approach to the D'Arnaud/Arencibia issue - much of Arencibia value is tied to his production as a catcher - I favour keeping D'Arnaud.

uglyone - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:16 PM EDT (#257483) #

I don't think Hech has much of a chance at being as valuable in the lineup as Escobar and Johnson have already proven they are. At least not anytime soon.

I'd be more comfortable bringing Hech into the bigs as a backup infielder, with him having to earn a starting position (which I'm not completely sold he'll ever be able to do).

bpoz - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:20 PM EDT (#257484) #

Excellent question about Escobar/Hech Anders.

IMO 92-93 & Gerry said there could be resistance by Escobar about moving to 2B. I strongly agree. George Bell made his opposition to becoming a DH very clear. IMO Bautista opposed or even refused to go to 3B even after spending all of ST at 3B last year. That is my opinion but I cannot prove it. Rios/Wells I don't remember being a strong consideration.

If KJ & EE are lost to FA or traded it will tell us more about AA. KJ is doing OK but not well at 2B am I wrong about that. However EE is having a monster year so far, but not a 54 HR year. When the deadline comes the Jays could have the best, worst or in between record in the Majors, I will bet a cuttlefish on that. Trade rumors regarding them in July may hint at very good returns, if they are still good. With approx 50 games before the trade deadline, there is time for teams to bunch up.

I don't know if AA will trade our short term players that are doing really well if we are in it. I think if our record & Pythogaras indicate about 92 wins, then what will AA do. IMO he will spend money on what he calls salary relief. Just about everyone can be traded a few days before Sept anyhow, by any team.
Every year AA will have to deal with buy or sell & for how much at the trade deadline.

neurolaw - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:24 PM EDT (#257485) #

I agree with you China Fan and 85Bluejay - trading Escobar seems like the best move. He has little value outside of a SS.

But 2 things are key when considering a trade for Escobar. One the Jays have to be certain that KJ will stay or they should aim to get a middle infielder back in a trade. How are we sure that KJ will sign an extension and stay? I think there is a possibility that the Jays trade Esco, bring up Hech and KJ leaves.

The second thing that worries me is that while Hech provides tremendous defensive value, how well can he hit at this level? I know we had this discussion before and while there is lots of evidence to suggest that he has made lots of improvements will it be enough?

katman - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:26 PM EDT (#257486) #

On this post's topic, I give you the NY Mets:

"Aside from the obvious points of concern, the Mets' relief woes are troubling because the bullpen is the one area in which they spent significant money last winter. General manager Sandy Alderson signed closer Frank Francisco to a two-year, $12 million deal, for example, but Francisco has responded with sheer inconsistency. Alderson inked Rauch to a $3.5 million pact and traded for Ramirez, but neither has established himself as a reliable setup man."

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_05_30_phimlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym

Bwahahahahaaa! Sorry, couldn't help myself. But it does make me feel a bit better about our bullpen vs. 2011.

neurolaw - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 01:36 PM EDT (#257487) #

Uglyone you hit it right on the head about Hech. In Escobar and KJ the Jays have proven commodities that are still in their prime. I have no idea what Hech can do in the Majors.

The other thing is while trading Escobar seems like a good move, its actually KJ and EE that have the most value as trade commodities. A lot of teams are looking for players like them to give them a boost.

There are lots of moving parts over the next 2 months, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

uglyone - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 02:23 PM EDT (#257491) #

CF Rasmus
RF Gose
LF Snider
3B Lawrie
SS Escobar
2B Johnson
1B Bautista
DH Encarnacion
C Arencibia

UT Gomes/Cooper
OF Thames
IF Hechevarria
C D'Arnaud

if that's what we break camp with next year, I wouldn't be unhappy.

neurolaw - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 02:26 PM EDT (#257492) #

Absolutely uglyone that is a lineup I have envisioned for a little while. There is some serious talent on that roster. I would move Gose to CF and Rasmus to a corner outfield position but that is nitpicking.

BalzacChieftain - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 02:54 PM EDT (#257495) #

Trading Escobar this year would be stupid. What are you left with for the middle infield in 2013? Likely a poor-hitting SS (Hech) and a (s)crappy 2B on a one year contract.

92-93 - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 03:03 PM EDT (#257498) #

With Lind gone and the DH spot empty you could take advantage of Hechavarria for the immediate future by giving Escobar & Johnson some days off in the field.

Landomar - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 04:59 PM EDT (#257501) #

I like the idea of calling Hechevarria up for the Boston series. We could give him a 3 game "taste" of the majors, while letting Johnson and Escobar get some extra days off to rest their nagging injuries (perhaps giving Johnson some games at DH while we're at it).

As soon as Gomes is eligible for a recall, we could then bring Gomes up and send Hechevarria back down. Gomes could platoon with Cooper, and provide us with some nice defensive flexibility for our upcoming series in Atlanta.

TamRa - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:05 PM EDT (#257502) #

So.

the call up is NOT a hitter, as expected, but Robert Coello.

I confess that at this moment in time the 8-man-pen business is most confusing.

sam - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:11 PM EDT (#257504) #

If Escobar is moved, and according to Jon Morosi who sees the A's, Mariners, and Pirates as potential options. Here's my rough list of players in no particular order or combination from each team that might be appealing to the Jays.

A's
Ryan Cook
Brett Anderson
Sonny Gray
A.J. Cole
Chris Carter

Mariners
James Paxton
Justin Smoak
Carter Capps
Brad Miller
Stephen Pryor

Pirates
Nick Kingham
Bryan Morris
Pedro Alvarez
Brad Lincoln
Joel Hanranhan

I presume the Jays could get back some sort of legit power bullpen arm and mid-level prospect for Escobar. Smoak and Alvarez may be wishful thinking, although neither have exactly set the league on fire.

jester00 - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#257507) #

Move Escobar for the best package we can get, and then blow our prospect wad and get Dempster/Garza and Castro from the Cubs (who according to Bob Nightengale may possibly be available for the right package).

Landomar - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:44 PM EDT (#257510) #

Wow, yeah, I'm surprised to see Coello coming up. The whole Crawford / Igarashi / Chavez and Gomes for Beck / Laffey / Coello sequence has been mind boggling. We've cycled through 6 minor league pitchers in less than a week. That's some excessive micromanaging right there, and perhaps a scouting failure in certain cases. For example, Crawford's minor league career hasn't been particularly noteworthy, and Igarashi's resume reads like a classic AAAA guy. The scouts must have saw something in both of those pitchers, and after watching them pitch myself, I have no idea what it was.

As part of the Coello move, the Blue Jays also moved Adam Lind off the 40 man roster. I don't expect that another team is going to claim him (due to his contract), but I think that Lind is (perhaps rightly) going to be out of our big league picture for quite some time. Perhaps we'll never see him in Toronto again, and based on his career performance, I'm not really against cutting ties with him / burying him in AAA.

tstaddon - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:49 PM EDT (#257511) #

It is possible that Coello had a June 1st call-up deadline (or he could've requested his release)?

Or, from the realm of extremes, that one of Alvarez/Drabek are about to be traded and Chavez/Coello are here to cover their innings?

Obviously reaching. But that's what the Coello call-up seems like, too...

92-93 - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 05:56 PM EDT (#257512) #

I'm more puzzled by the decision to not option down Igarashi. Before he was called up Marty Brown was raving about him and within 2 nights the Jays cut bait.

Richard S.S. - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 06:37 PM EDT (#257514) #

With two or three of Alvarez, Drabek and Hutchison pitching the Boston series, it might be necessary to go with an 8-man Bullpen. Romero can pitch Game 3 on normal rest, Morrow can follow on 5 days rest to start Game 1 in Chicago (AL). But with the Thursday off-day, 3 verses Boston, then a Monday off-day, the team has some option in who starts.

Anders - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 08:48 PM EDT (#257517) #

For example, Crawford's minor league career hasn't been particularly noteworthy, and Igarashi's resume reads like a classic AAAA guy.

For what it's worth, pretty much everyone has been raving about him in spring training, and I think he was decent in the AFL. He has a nice curve ball.

scottt - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:22 PM EDT (#257519) #

Trading for Paxton would be worth a laugh.

hypobole - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 09:49 PM EDT (#257523) #

Sam, why do you think Paxton would be appealing to the Jays but not Taijaun Walker?

sam - Thursday, May 31 2012 @ 10:21 PM EDT (#257524) #

Hypobole, I think the Jays would have plenty of interest in Walker, however, Walker is one of the better pitching prospects in the minors at the moment. I think you'd be seriously overvaluing Escobar if you think Walker would be discussed in a package for Escobar.

The Braves got Alex Gonzalez--a rental SS and Tyler Pastornicky who was considered a B level prospect/non top 100 prospect from the Jays for Escobar in 2010. Pastornicky was recently sent down and didn't show much in 45 games granted he is only 22. Escobar's value was perhaps lower considering his relationship with Bobby Cox. While I think he has since dismissed some of that label, he is several years older and after a solid year last year (some may say fantastic), he has slumped this year and has shown signs of decreasing physical skills. Escobar is far from a sure thing. I think you'd have a hard time convincing any team that Escobar is worth remarkably more than a Pastornicky type prospect and Alex Gonzalez.

Baseball America has Walker ranked at no. 20 in its top 100 and has compared him to Dwight Gooden. Travis d'Arnaud at 17.

Paxton was drafted under the previous regime, however, my understanding is that Paul Beeston handled the negotiations with Paxton and there was a nominal difference between the two sides. As a prospect I think Paxton is intriguing, yet I agree that the thought of the Jays acquiring Paxton is hard to believe.

Forkball - Friday, June 01 2012 @ 08:59 AM EDT (#257527) #

Tim Collins was part of the Escobar trade as well (and is having a really nice year in their pen). And JoJo Reyes came with Escobar! But basically it was Escobar for a rental and 2 C+ prospects.

The Escobar trade chatter seems to come mostly from Hech knocking on the door. But I don't think he's going to command enough in the trade for the Jays to want to move him. No one is giving up a premium prospect, or a good ML starter. And there's no reason for the Jays to trade him for a B prospect.

Unless Escobar was part of a big package (as a secondary piece), I don't see him being traded.

Chuck - Friday, June 01 2012 @ 12:08 PM EDT (#257546) #

Unless Escobar was part of a big package (as a secondary piece), I don't see him being traded.

I don't see Escobar being traded, but I do see him as eminently tradable should his bat come around even a little (say in the 85-90ish OPS+ range). His team-friendly contract (5M in 2013, club options for 5M in 2014 and 2015) would provide a team with a medium-term shortstop solution. Plenty of teams have futzed around shortstop for a while now and may value the stability that Escobar could offer.

uglyone - Friday, June 01 2012 @ 01:18 PM EDT (#257549) #

Escobar has averaged 3.9war/150 for his career, posted a 4.9war/150 last year.

He is very valuable, and to be honest, it's fairly long odds that Hech is ever as good an SS as Escobar has been on a consistent basis.

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