Yunel Escobar (.471) like a new player — should Braves care?
Yunel Escobar's grand slam against Baltimore was his first homer of year.
When the Braves traded shortstop Yunel Escobar for Alex Gonzalez, it was easy to understand their logic. Escobar was slumping, management was turned off by his perceived attitude and they viewed him as a potential road block to a grand postseason run.
I wrote at the time that the deal could come back to haunt them. Of course, my time frame wasn’t the next four games.
Have you seen Escobar’s numbers since the deal? He is 8-for-17 (.471) with three runs scored, seven RBI and a grand slam on Sunday (his first homer of the season). He has walked once and has yet to strike out. He has moved runners along. He has been solid defensively.
Also, he has yet to pout.
So I guess he doesn’t stink after all.
Now, from the Braves’ perspective, this trade will be judged at the end of the season by: 1) Whether they make the playoffs and how they do when they get there; 2) What role Gonzalez has in that run (for what it’s worth, he’s 3 for 16 with the Braves).
In that sense, Escobar isn’t even a factor. But the franchise’s worst nightmare down the line would be for him to turn back into the player they saw for three seasons.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston, who spoke to Bobby Cox about Escobar following the deal, said: “The kid’s played great here. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and more.”
Just want to take a pulse of Braves’ fandom here: Are you happy for Escobar, upset that he has been a success or really don’t care one way or another?
This might be even the bigger question: What will make the Gonzalez-Escobar trade a success or failure in your eyes?
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486 comments Add your comment
Shane
July 20th, 2010
12:40 pm
Yunel is a head case pure and simple. Something will happen in Toronto that will tick him off and he will revert to the Escobar we saw in the first half. Might be tomorrow. Might be two years from now.
But it will happen.
Joe
July 20th, 2010
12:40 pm
One last thing..think about all those times of seeing Escobar in the dugout looking unhappy, now think about all those times with him looking that way knowing that no one wants him there. Problem is for fans they dont know when the team started disliking him and when Yunel knew he wasnt liked so fans are on the outside specualting it would be nice for someone with a chance to interview Bobby to ask one question. “Bobby when did things start falling apart for Yunel?” Thats it Bobby can answer everyones question as to why Yunel was giving him such a hard time. Unfortunately all fans hear now is yeah this guy Gonzalez is professional, real professional. Uh ok, in this day and age when fans want the inside dirt no reporter wants to dig for it?
ITP Braves Fan
July 20th, 2010
12:41 pm
I’m fine with the deal for three reasons:
First, Escobar is not in the Brave’s clubhouse, and the early reports are that Alex Gonzales is fitting in nicely.
Second, Escobar is hitting well on a team playing in the AL East which will not make the playoffs anytime soon. So the Braves don’t have to worry about him coming back and beating Atlanta.
Finally, even if Alex Gonzales does nothing offensively for the Braves (he has already shown some very good defense), the move was needed to cut ties with Escobar. The Braves waited for years for him to grow up, and it never happened. Now, the Braves can move on, and they obtained a ML-ready player and a couple prospects as well.
I’ll be thrilled to see Escobar play well in Toronto. Perhaps being traded was the wake-up call that he needed. But, as with the Frenchy move last season, it appeared that Escobar just was not going to reach his potential in Atlanta.
Shane
July 20th, 2010
12:42 pm
Mitchell is the Village idiot of this blog.
A few months ago he was saying Chipper wasnt a HOFer and as part of his argument he said Andruw Jones was a far superior post season batter.
Well I pulled the stats and not only was Andruw not “far superior” but Chipper was better in almost every single category. He talks out his backside and just makes up stuff.
coach smith
July 20th, 2010
12:44 pm
Honestly, that just shows you that HE WAS NOT TRYING here in Atlanta, because these are the results you get when he tries and plays with full effort…..the fact that he is doing so well so fast shows his attitude was going to always be in the way here
just wait, he hasn’t had a bad scorer’s call or any issues yet
Gil In Mechanicsville
July 20th, 2010
12:44 pm
Jeff Back in the 70s, the Braves acquired a Latino pitcher whom they thought might help them out. Of course in those days, most any pitcher who was breathing would be a help, but I digress… Anyway, they assigned this guy to the Triple A Richmond team to get into shape. The guy absolutely stunk up the place, had an ERA of around 18.00. The guy pitched like he really did not want to be there. Well, the Braves accommodated him and gave him his outright release . Shortly thereafter, said pitcher signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox and went on to have a pretty good career with them. You might remember him, a guy by the name of Luis Tiant.
The wife has said for months that Yunel has played like he wanted to be somewhere else. I think about what I remember about Tiant and think she just might have been on to something.
Jeff321
July 20th, 2010
12:45 pm
Yunel was basically walking around on egg shells in Atlanta. And I’m sure he feels relieved to not be playing for a manager that hates him anymore.
So, if ya believe the “negative” cowardly anonymous quotes from his former teammates.. Then the other quote about Bobby Cox hating Escobar should get the same amount of credence, eh?
That said, I’m glad Escobar got traded so he can just go and play the game.
Translation: I don’t think he was purposely “tanking” this year. But, having that “weight” lifted off his shoulders might be just what he needed to be successful again. In other words, Escobar’s offensive downturn this year can be directly attributed to the unfriendly work environment Cox masterminded.
ry
July 20th, 2010
12:45 pm
Anyone who says this trade was a mistake didn’t listen to comments fromt he Braves organization and individuals who had access to the Braves lockeroom. Clearly Escobar had some issues here and he still would not be producing if they had not traded him. Either his attitude, lack of trying/caring, whatever it was, he had issues that would have prevented him from producing in Atlanta. If I speculate, I would say it was lack of focus and effort, along with a bad attitude. Glad he is doing well, but also glad he was removed from the Braves.
observor
July 20th, 2010
12:46 pm
Also, don’t forget that Francouer initially got hot and looked good following the trade to the Mets, and after a fast start this year, he has reverted back to his normal form of being extremely average and underwhelming to the point that the Mets are nearly ready to send him to the bench and make him a platoon player.
Shane
July 20th, 2010
12:46 pm
Honestly, that just shows you that HE WAS NOT TRYING here in Atlanta
Exactly right. If he were still here he would still be pouting and still not hitting.
He quit on the Braves not the other way around. The gave him every opportunity to turn it around. Bobby Cox was extremely patient. But almost getting Glaus hurt, who does care and plays hard every game, was the last straw.
tj
July 20th, 2010
12:46 pm
There has to be other ways to get someones attention other than quietly and surprisingly trade them…The age difference between him and who we traded for is a big factor. Yunel has a lot more years left than who we have now. Somehow somewhere and someway get his attention, We cannot afford to not get good trades for the younger stars. Francour’s trade was certainly a bust for the Braves.
PDOG
July 20th, 2010
12:47 pm
BTW, I wonder if Wren even inquired about Lee for Escobar. If the goal is to win it this year that would have made more sense.
Also Shane about Escobar htting second, my point is that if he had been hitting second his average would have beed higher. Funny how chipper hits 250 and is locked in to the third slot.
Sean
July 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
Escobar is my favorite player. As a Braves fan, it was a horrible trade. As a fan of Escobar I couldn’t be happier to see him doing well. I want him to put up monster numbers in the second half so the Braves management will realize how stupid the trade was. Escobar was 2-4 last night with another home run too.
Tim in Toronto
July 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
This could be a win win for the Braves and the Jays. Atlanta has a shot at the World Series while the Jays are in total rebuild mode. Bobby Cox can’t afford to wait on a young guy. The Jays can. Atlanta fans will love Alex G. He makes it fun to watch defense and he holds his own as a hitter. I was disappointed to see him go but I understand the move.
The Braves are a class organization and seeing them win a World Series for Cox and the town would be nice.would be nice
Bernard
July 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
Patience is a virtue. Cox had infinite patience for Charlie Lebrandt but very little for Esco who was last year’s Braves MVP???? Nate Mcclouth, Kawakami and Derek Lowe need to be traded or cut NOW PPPLEASE!!!! Hope the Braves don’t blow it like they’ve since they gave away the FRANCHISE DAVID JUSTICE (another alleged malcontent??!!) Braves organization needs intensive CULTURAL DIVERSITY TRAING?SCHOOLING?LEARNING ASAP!!!…. side bar Adam Wainwright trade was a BONEHEAD deal too LOSERS!!!!
Tweets that mention Yunel Escobar (.471) like a new player -- should Braves care? | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
July 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jane , Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Yunel Escobar since the trade: .471. Oops. #Braves http://bit.ly/dbdriy [...]
observor
July 20th, 2010
12:49 pm
Unfriendly work environment masterminded by cox?
What an insanely idiotic statement. Yeah, that’s why all the other 24 players on the roster love and revere playing for him, and all say its the best environment they’ve ever played in. Also, virtually every former player has said the same with only 2 or 3 exceptions. Bottom line, if you can’t get along with Cox and function in this club house, it’s a you issue, not a Cox or Braves issue.
Cracker Jacket
July 20th, 2010
12:50 pm
Glad the headcase is gone! Don’t care what he does now!!!
Brandon
July 20th, 2010
12:51 pm
What’s he played? 2 games up there? What a waste of an article.
HolyMoly
July 20th, 2010
12:52 pm
I personally feel that the Braves got the short end of this deal. We traded a young, talented player with a long future, for a temp not-so-good player who will be gone soon due to free agency. Granted Yunel was in a slump for about 4 months, and he was unmotivated. They should have just benched him for a couple of games, and that would made him wake up and work harder. Maybe they should have had a heart to heart with him. In any case, I think he will be missed in the playoffs…
Philly Braves Fan
July 20th, 2010
12:53 pm
So, Escobar is clearly motivated to “prove the braves wrong” after doing nothing this year? If that is what it takes to motivate this talented kid….then the Jays can have him.
Mitchell
July 20th, 2010
12:53 pm
Brian
July 20th, 2010
12:35 pm
Who from the Braves organization exactly said Escobar had a bad attitute here in Atlanta?
Bobby Cox said it loud and clear with every puzzled look from the dugout and post-game interview answer. The rest of the team said it loud and clear when they gave Gonzalez a standing ovation as he entered the clubhouse.
Most importantly, Frank Wren said it loud and clear when he traded Escobar for an older and inferior player.
Uh, Brian. I think you’re using the word “said” incorrectly. No, you are using it incorrectly, not to mention “loud and clear.”
But then again I have bad hearing.
You might have been better off with “Bobby Cox insinuated it,” or “hinted at,” or “conveyed,” “implied,” “the rest of the team expressed it…”
That’s it.
theight
July 20th, 2010
12:54 pm
I said this when the trade and before the trade happend. Escobar needed a fresh start. The guy is still young. He had been put in trade rumors throughout the season, injury and struggling with his game. How much pressure is that on someone so young. He wasn’t motivated by bobby, frank nor the fans. In three seasons he had one bad, so he all of sudden becomes a bust.
Floydwiley
July 20th, 2010
12:54 pm
My feeling is that he wouldn’t have been capable of that in Atlanta. Clearly it isn’t just his location, but his attitude, that changed. He will be the good player Atlanta had in the past, but it wasn’t possible for that to happen here. Perhaps it’s a failure of the Atlanta organization not to be able to encourage him, perhaps it’s a detractor for Yunel’s character going forward that he’ll eventually get bored and stop trying until his hand is forced by an outraged management to actually make adjustments to his mechanics and attitude at the plate. Clearly all it took was for him to think, “okay, I actually have to reassess things with the bat, because this could be make it or break it time for me.”
Those two home runs wouldn’t have happened if Yunel had been playing The Brewers at The Ted.
bfred
July 20th, 2010
12:55 pm
I’m having a hard time coming up with one example of a player who was a headcase attitude problem that turned it around just because he “found the right environment.” I’m glad Esco’s off to a good start but my guess is the first time something happens he goes right back to his old habits.
Bobby Cox is loyal to his players to a fault. If he did not try to discourage Wren from making the trade – a talented young player with upside – then that pretty much tells the story. It must have been bad.
Greg from Marietta
July 20th, 2010
12:56 pm
I’m happy for Yunel, I hope he does well for the Blue Jays. The Braves got a good man in the trade but more than that they got a great potential arm. A kid that I think will help the team out down the road more than Yunel ever did. As far as a team is concerned a player is only as good as he performs and Yunel just wasn’t doing it here.
Hank's #1
July 20th, 2010
12:57 pm
JS: Are you kidding? Yunel has played against the worst team in baseball and the second worst team in the AL since the trade and I might add the two teams with the worst pitching stats. So JS, why are you even asking if we have regrets about this trade? Way too early to predict this is a bad trade for the Braves.
paulie
July 20th, 2010
12:58 pm
Let’s be honest here….everyone remember how well Francour did after he was traded, then continued to go back to his old ways. Until the book is out on Esco, he will do well. It is too early to judge this trade just like all others. I still think it had to be done and am glad we have Gonzo here.
Adam
July 20th, 2010
12:59 pm
Of course he’s going to hit better when there isn’t any pressure. He’s playing for a team in Fourth place in the AL East. Although he was good while he was here, the Braves didn’t make the playoffs. He’s not the missing link to this team. This just shows that he can’t handle the pressure of playing for a contender.
TampaGator
July 20th, 2010
12:59 pm
The deal HAD to be made….period….because of Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones. Neither liked Escobar. A change of scenery is a good thing for Escobar and he now has motivation to play hard….which he did not have in Atlanta. I do think Escobar was misunderstood and unappreciated by the Braves orgranization and he could not just be himself and thrive. He was NOT a Bobby Cox type of player. If Hanley Rameriez was in Atlanta…Bobby Cox would want to trade him too. Give Bobby “vanilla” personality ballplayers and he is a happy man. NO Sheffs, Justices, Loftons, etc….no matter how good they are or could become. It is that simple. I am sure the next Braves manager will regret the Escobar trade more than the current manager does….as will the fans. Texas has another good ex-Braves organization SS (Andrus) that is thriving as well…as the phenom-relief pitcher (forgot his name) they just gave away in the Tex deal. Soon, Atlanta will be best known for the all-star team that no longer plays for the Braves but used to play for them.
Suenah Martis
July 20th, 2010
1:00 pm
Well, everyone knew he was going to get better, we all saw how much better he played at the last weeks of the 1st half, but I think in the end it was a good trade. Go pout somewhere else. Over a few weeks he will be pouting there too. And in Toronto it is ok to miss a call, they are not playing for the postseason, the Bravos are!
DHD
July 20th, 2010
1:00 pm
It’s NOT about what he was hitting OR what he is hitting. It is about him being a cancer in the clubhouse. It is funny that he is all of a sudden hitting. He could have been all along. he was just showing his rear end and not hustling. he was given MANY chances,
I guess we’ll have to see 1,000 Escobar articles now that he is a former ATL player. See Francoeur, Vick, etc.
Gumby
July 20th, 2010
1:00 pm
I don’t think the Braves had any choice if they want to contend. Bottom line is Yunnel wasn’t getting it done and going to a new team gave him a fresh start. He now has something to prove that he didn’t in Atlanta. Still the right move to make the trade. I wish him luck.
JamesA
July 20th, 2010
1:00 pm
The law of averages finally took over. So for the season he is hitting what? and 1 homer. Anyone can have a hot streak. Francouer was hitting .400 also (in the beginning).
Stephen
July 20th, 2010
1:01 pm
THE PITCHERS IN THE A.L. AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH HIM YET. OF COURSE THERE IS LIMITED INTERLEAGUE PLAY AND FREE AGENCY, BUT TEAMS AND PITCHING STAFFS STILL NEED TO SEE HIM ONCE OR TWICE. HE’LL FALL BACK OFF BY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT SEASON. ONCE AGAIN, HE HAD SMOOVE-ITIS (JOSH SMITH SYNDROME) AND THAT DOESN’T GO AWAY WITH SOME FRESH AIR AND CHANGE OF SCENERY. THAT STUFF WILL STAY WITH YOU.
Jeff321
July 20th, 2010
1:03 pm
What an insanely idiotic statement. Yeah, that’s why all the other 24 players on the roster love and revere playing for him, and all say its the best environment they’ve ever played in. Also, virtually every former player has said the same with only 2 or 3 exceptions. Bottom line, if you can’t get along with Cox and function in this club house, it’s a you issue, not a Cox or Braves issue.
Please stop spinning your tires.. It reeks of burnt rubber in here.
What does the “other 24″ have to do with the treatment Escobar received from Cox? Those other guys always side with the manager or they’ll find themselves in the doghouse or traded/released.
GStateBen
July 20th, 2010
1:04 pm
4 games in. If he’s hitting .400 plus 40 games in, then we can discuss.
He had uneven effort and was a pain in the back side. Just wait until mid-August when he realizes that he’s playing for a 4th place team in the AL East and they’ve lost 6 out of 8 to the Yanks, Rays and Red Sox.
Alex G has played in 20 games in the postseason and we needed that as well with Prado, Heyward, Diaz, McClouth playing in the same as me (0). Plus a better attitude and clubhouse guy.
GSU Eagle 91
July 20th, 2010
1:05 pm
Frank and Bobby gave him all of the time and chances here that Yunel deserved. I like this kid, but a change of scenery may be just what he needed. Add to that Cito Gaston ( who speaks Spanish) and Yunel is obviously comfortable. Good for him, and good for us as A-Gon is doing just fine…
JJ
July 20th, 2010
1:05 pm
Escobar is not a Brave so I could care less whether he does well or poorly. 4 games are irrelevant except to help some sports writer fill a blog space.
Greg Norton
July 20th, 2010
1:07 pm
Even I could bat nearly .500 with a grand slam against Baltimore!!!
poopsie
July 20th, 2010
1:08 pm
Well, he had every chance to do that here, and didn’t. If he had hit .471 here, he could have still been a brave! Have a nice day
wes covington
July 20th, 2010
1:10 pm
I watched the game Yunel hit the grand slam. It was the first time I’ve seen him smile this year. He was actually talking with his teammates in the dugout. I agree he may become a great player but he didn’t appear to enjoy playing for the Braves.
JR
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
The question is would he have put up those numbers if he had stayed in Atlanta? At this point it’s mere speculation, but I feel very comfortable speculating that the answer to that question is a resounding “NO”. The trade was the best thing for all parties concerned, including Escobar.
Floyd
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
Whatever Yunel does from here really doesn’t matter…the bottom line is that he wasn’t getting it done in Atlanta and gave no indication it was going to change. If this trade gets his attention and serves as the springboard for a solid major league career, then so be it. But that doesn’t change the fact that this kid was asleep at the wheel in the heat of a pennant race here in Atlanta. This trade wasn’t about what Yunel may or may not do in Toronto…it’s about what he was doing in Atlanta. And in that regard, good riddance.
italian_29
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
I think that the trade was done because of Yunel’s attitude more than anything else. His VERY sloppy play almost got Glaus hurt on that lollipop throw to first. His talent was NEVER the question, his heart was, and that is the best reason to trade him. I wish him the best, unless it is against the Braves. I hope he gets his heart and head back together in Canada.
WSweat41
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
Kind of like people writing some teams off after the first week of the season or declaring someone world champs after the first 4 games of the season. Baseball is a marathon, and four games prove nothing, good or bad. If Escobar’s results were similar after 2 or 3 weeks, instead of 4 games, this wouldn’t be such a waste of an article.
tomahawkin down 75
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
Sometimes it takes a breakup for a man to learn to treat his next partner right. Just like Frenchy, this has been a maturing experience for him i’m sure. I don’t wish the man ill, but do you honestly think he’d be doing the same thing in a Braves uni? Nope, he needed to get a slice of humble pie in order to learn what it means to be a pro. Personally i’m proud the young man may be figuring it out. Good Luck to him, i say. I’m Happy with what we got.
Really...
July 20th, 2010
1:11 pm
Bottom line is…who wouldn’t be batting .471 after playing against the Orioles for three games? Let’s see how he does against the Yankees and Red Sox.
Really...
July 20th, 2010
1:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 20th, 2010
1:12 pm
Drawing a conclusion on a trade, after 4 games, is pointless.