Addition by subtraction: The Braves trade Yunel Escobar
It wasn’t just that Yunel Escobar was slow to learn a second language. He was slow to learn to be a professional. How many times do you have to be told to hustle — a concept that should be universal — before it’s clear you just don’t care to do it?
No one can suggest the Braves didn’t give him a fair chance. He played 446 big-league games for this club, and his excesses worsened over time. And it’s one thing to hang on to a problem if the problem is hitting and driving in runs, but at age 27 Escobar had ceased doing that. He has no home runs, 19 RBIs.
Even with the Braves in first place, this was the right move at the right time. We shouldn’t worry about the absence of Escobar roiling the waters. He was always the guy most apt to upset the others with his disregard for the game and its conventions. He was always the Brave the others could count on to carry himself least like a Brave.
Escobar’s defenders believed the language barrier — he defected from Cuba — led him to misunderstand and be misunderstood. Coaches Chino Cadahia and Eddie Perez, each of whom acted as interpreters, told me as much last season. But should a big-league player fail so repeatedly to perform the basic task of playing hard? The message seems to get through to Omar Infante, a Venezuelan who also uses translators.
A tiny example: On a Sunday afternoon earlier this season, Escobar drove a ball in the gap in left-center. His hit brought home the go-ahead run, but somehow he managed to get thrown out at second base on a ball so perfectly placed that it would have been a double for anybody else in the big leagues. (Put it this way: Sid Bream would have made it.)
Escobar got thrown out because he watched the flight of the ball and admired his work, as opposed to running hard. The Braves noticed. The Braves always noticed. As one man in the clubhouse said afterward, exasperation in his voice: “He has been told time and time again.”
About the trade: This isn’t an exchange of equal talent. Alex Gonzalez is a serviceable big-league shortstop who played on a World Series winner with Florida in 2003 and delivered the biggest hit — a walk-off homer in Game 4 — of the Series. He’s 33, which means he’s not a long-term answer. (Inside baseball: As a Marlin, Gonzalez was known as “Sea Bass.”)
Loading ...Perhaps Tyler Pastornicky, the minor-league shortstop also acquired in this deal, will develop. But what Frank Wren suggested Wednesday was that the Braves aren’t much worried about tomorrow. “We’re two years away from having to worry about that,” the general manager said. “After the 2011 season … we’ll cross that bridge at that time.”
This trade tells us the Braves no longer saw Escobar as a long-term answer, either, and they were justified in that conclusion. “He’s a talented guy,” Wren said of Escobar, “but we needed to make some adjustments on our ballclub. It just wasn’t happening here.”
This is a happier clubhouse than it has been in years, and not just because the team is in first place. Because these guys like and respect one another. The one guy who didn’t fit — and who was never going to fit, no matter how many chances the Braves offered — just got traded. “In the short term, this really improves our ballclub,” Wren said, and it improves it not because Gonzalez is a greater talent but because he’s a real pro.
Addition by subtraction, I believe it’s called.
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438 comments Add your comment
kurula
July 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
Anon21–the numbers are easy to point to because they are something you can physically point to. if you surveyed the clubhouse, i’d bet that the vast majority feels that this is a great trade. i think you underestimate the chemistry of the locker room. also, what makes you think that he was gonna do anything more in the second half? why is it a law that alex gonzalez’s numbers will fall and yunel’s will rise?
Bob in SF
July 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
Gonzo is a decent hitter and an above avg. glove but most importantly he plays likes he gives a darn about the game and his team.
Edd
July 14th, 2010
2:57 pm
Great move. Yunel was a drag down on the team and everybody knew it. Now we have a team. Go Braves, THE CHOP IS BACK !!
DaveDawg96
July 14th, 2010
2:58 pm
A great friggin’ trade for the Braves.
bruce
July 14th, 2010
2:59 pm
After reading Mark’s blog a second time, I am not sad about Escobar going, it does seem like the right move for the team. I do wish him well and maybe this will be a wake-up call for him that he will answer or he will find a team that does not care about hustle. If not, he is sure going to need to hit more to stay in MLB. Best wishes Escy.
carey
July 14th, 2010
3:00 pm
let see. your in first place. escobar was not a problem when not winning, but now is a problem. get real. dont fix it if its not broken. another young brave that will end up playing in a world series with someone else, ala jermaine dye and mark texeira. did i mention we were in first place.
Stat Man
July 14th, 2010
3:03 pm
To me, I think the final nail in his coffin was his lollygag throw to Glaus Saturday that damn near got Glaus’s arm taken off.
Look up the word “SLACKER” in the dictionary and there is Yunel’s picture.
It is SO obvious the Braves are playing to WIN NOW – and I love it!
Yunel Escobar Is A Hot Topic Today
July 14th, 2010
3:08 pm
[...] to …USA TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 185 news articles » Share and [...]
Yunel Escobar Is A Hot Topic Today
July 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
[...] to …USA TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 183 news articles » Share and [...]
L.A. Mont
July 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
Teams like the Braves, or any team for that matter, can take a player with an attitude as long as he produces. (see Floria Marlins and Hanley Ramirez). Escobar was not producing consistently, and therefore the team felt like a move had to be made now in order to make a playoff run. Good teams worry about the future. Great teams worry, but understand that the window to win a championship is short, and you have to go for it win you can. Who knows what 2011 will bring. All we can control is 2010 and that’s what the Braves are doing. Let’s hope Gonzalez can come right in and give us another weapon offensively and mesh with Prado to continue the good defense up the middle and turning the double play. Let’s make it happen!
Delbert D.
July 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
Getting Pastornicky was the key. Guys named Pastornicky don’t come around very often.
kurula
July 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
as much as i think this was a good trade…is it THE trade?
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | TrendsCovered.com
July 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 185 news [...]
Ron May
July 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
The only reason Chipper Jones is still here is because he sucks-up to Bobby Bush League Cox, always sits next to him in the dugout, best buds. Bobby is the worst manager in baseball. No imagination, conservative play, holds the runners at third where they usually die and don’t score. I’m glad its his last year. The Braves won only ONE world series with all the talent Cox had during his tenure here—-ONLY ONE in, what,15 consecutive seasons winning the Division title?
If anyone needed to be traded this year it was Chipper Jones but no matter how badly he played at third this year (errors and dubious efforts at nearby grounders) he was still Bobby’s boy. I agree with one comment here that Cox was inept at handling troubled players but that’s part of the job. He should have worked more with Escobar but, evidently, that was not part of his skill set. All he was capable of is getting thrown out of ball games—that’s his legacy. One world series win with all the talent he was given….
Last year Escobar hit .299 and hit 19 homers. How quickly we forget. Every one goes through a slump now and then. Chipper was so bad at the start of this season, HE came close to quiting. I think Escobar is the best fielding SS in baseball today and a proven hitter and only 27 years old. If his batting was the problem (Who would trade Escobar if he were batting .325 and had 55 RBI’s and 18 HR’s), blame it on Terry Pendleton, ANOTHER lame “favorite” from Bobby’s past who obviously can’t coach batters in a slump. He needs to go, too. BTW, notice HR production in the majors is way down since the steroid busts—-imagine that.
Its a shame that the Braves are blaming Escobar for the “terrible” season they are having. WE’RE 4 GAMES AHEAD IN 1ST PLACE, for crying out loud. This move is going to unsteady a lot of players, especially clubhouse morale. I love the guy and I think the Braves are making a big mistake. If attitude is an issue, do something about Troy Glaus and his temper throwing the bat when he strikes out.
Too bad Escobar has to pay the price so “BOBBY” can have a chance to win the world series one more time which would make it twice (maybe) in 16 chances…..
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog)
July 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 185 news [...]
MJ
July 14th, 2010
3:21 pm
I don’t mind getting rid of the attitude and lack of hustle, but I do think we made a poor deal. We gave away Furcal and Andrus (shortstops in last night’sAll-Star game) for players who had contracts ready to expire, who ended up not being around the following year. I see this happening again. I don’t need to hear, and I will not believe, the “shortstop” of the future talk. We had those players in Furcal and Andrus. Players who hit well, fielded above average, had strong arms, and stole bases. We get a guy who struggled last year, and is playing on a re-habbed knee. Forget range and speed with this guy, which is what the Braves really need.
Matt
July 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
I like this trade a lot. As much as I’ve wanted to like Escobar, the bad days have really started to overwhelm the few good days recently. In the game last weekend against the Mets, I was furious when he called off all the outfielders on a routine pop-up and then lost the ball in the lights. He shrugged it off as if it was the ball’s fault. Then a few moments later he threw a terrible ball to Glaus on a routine groundout and nearly caused Glaus (and the Braves) a serious blow, because Glaus had to jam his arm hard into the runner to make the tag.
I can’t really fault the Braves for making the decision after that game (it was just one of many similar games in the last few months). Could Escobar ultimately have a better career than Gonzalez? Sure. But right now, he seems like the only weak spot on an otherwise solid team. When everyone is playing hard and having fun (even bench players like Infante and Hinske), you don’t want one player, especially an everyday player, bringing that good vibe down. With Gonzalez we get a consistent bat (even if it’s consistently at .250 hitter with 10-15 hrs) that helps our lineup immediately. Both of the prospects are good pickups for our future too. We have tons of great RHP but few LHP, and the SS we got from Toronto is rated an excellent 99 by scouts for speed. He also has a great 1:1 k/bb ratio so far.
I gladly support this move by the Braves.
Stat Man
July 14th, 2010
3:26 pm
Ron May–
How much do you watch the games???
I don’t watch all that often, but I can recall at least two squeeze plays that successfully brought in a run from 3rd.
So do yourself a favor – if you are going to bash someone (Cox) at least get your facts straight, otherwise you look like a complete jerk who doesn’t have a clue as to what he’s talking about (and when you type a 5 paragraph book – you REALLY over did it).
James
July 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
Good Move. Go Braves!
Four games up, 74 to play: Can the Braves hold on? Sure | Mark Bradley
July 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
[...] different — Omar Infante, Kris Medlen, Brooks Conrad — delivering when deployed. (And the subtraction of Yunel Escobar should only enhance the [...]
Just Sayin'
July 14th, 2010
3:29 pm
What I’d like to know is how to get a job writing a small opinion article inviting feedback, then over the next THREE HOURS – leave with the only comment that you’re sorry you can’t attend your own damn blog today!!!
tell it like it is
July 14th, 2010
3:35 pm
I said last year he plays lazy and use’s a bat to big for him.One of the best moves by the Braves. he just did not fit the braves needs.way to get rid of the lead braves.
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | Assessment for Learning
July 14th, 2010
3:37 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 193 news [...]
Dawg'88
July 14th, 2010
3:40 pm
MB,
I am often critical of what you write but I’ll give credit where it is due!
You nailed the situation right on target. Your blog tells the truth about
what has gone on here with Yunel for his 3 seasons or so. Very well
written and accurate…all good points! I do think however that AG will
help provide more offense than the Braves were getting. For this year
AG is a better offensive threat. One thing missed in my opinion by everyone…
Yunel was struggling in my opinion because the Braves tried to reign him in.
I think they should have but he is like a bucking bronco…he didn’t want anyone
to tell him how to play and playing their way was squelching his flamboyance.
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | Breaking Hot News
July 14th, 2010
3:41 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 197 news [...]
Old Slugger
July 14th, 2010
3:47 pm
His arrogance and lack of hustle was obvious. Wonder why it took so long to say bye-bye.
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | Elaike News Center
July 14th, 2010
3:49 pm
[...] Ramirez and Atlanta's Yunel Escobar? …Blue Jays acquire Yunel Escobar from Bravesmsnbc.comAddition by subtraction: The Braves trade Yunel EscobarAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Shortstop swap nets Jays Yunel EscobarNational Post [...]
Matt
July 14th, 2010
3:49 pm
I don’t understand the comments about racism against Latino players. Many of our players are Latino or speak Spanish fluently. You can’t isolate Escobar in that regard. And using the argument that Kelly Johnson was treated differently is quite strange, especially when you consider he was benched last year for a Latino player (Prado), who obviously was superior. Do I even need to mention our other great Latino players (like Infante and Blanco) getting significant playing time over starters this year?
Furthermore we’re trading Escobar for Alex Gonzalez, who just happens to be Cuban as well.
Escobar didn’t fit into this club because of reasons other than ethnicity or language.
Mark Bradley
July 14th, 2010
3:51 pm
Thanks, Dawg ‘88.
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | Hot Topics
July 14th, 2010
3:53 pm
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Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | Snafu Blog
July 14th, 2010
3:56 pm
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yunel escobar
July 14th, 2010
4:00 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 209 news [...]
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog) | TODAY'S HOT NEWS
July 14th, 2010
4:04 pm
[...] TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 209 news articles » No [...]
bill martin
July 14th, 2010
4:06 pm
we can always put Omar Infante at ss we have no risk as long as we have him for any position,power and defense.
I must be the Crazy One
July 14th, 2010
4:06 pm
Escy got jacked because he’s a problem child. Talent did not play much into this, otherwise he would have stayed. There’s a couple of decent SS’s in our minor league system, but no one that’s currently screaming to break the MLB roster. Diory Hernandez we’ve seen… Salcedo in 2 years, maybe…
Braves make first move, give up on Yunel Escobar » – New York Daily News (blog)
July 14th, 2010
4:08 pm
[...] to …USA TodayBlue Jays acquire Escobar for GonzalezMLB.comBraves get Gonzalez; Escobar to JaysESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -msnbc.com -Rotowireall 211 news [...]
Mark Bradley
July 14th, 2010
4:10 pm
On sheer talent, the Braves lost this trade of big-league shortstops. On balance, they won.
Jon
July 14th, 2010
4:18 pm
I yelled at my TV every time Yunel came to bat. He hasn’t produced, doesn’t fit, and though excellent defensively, that alone is not enough. He is a flake and any place else is a good place, hope it works for him, but won’t hold my breath.
Myron Bolitar
July 14th, 2010
4:22 pm
With all the b!tching and moaning about this trad, you’d think we just traded away an all-star.
eastbound and down
July 14th, 2010
4:27 pm
would prefer to have Elvis Andrus at short, but he is long gone.
Curt
July 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
At worst, from a hitting perspective this trade is even. Gonzalez is not going to hit any worse than Yunel did. At worst, form a defensive perspective, this trade is even. Gonzalez is not going to field any worse than Yunel did. At worst, from an attitude perspective this is a win. Gonzalez is not going to be as much of a distraction as Yunel was. If you don’t think Yunel was then recall the images of Chipper in the dugout, in Yunel’s face, not apparently in anger as much as instructing him. This apparently was too much of the norm for Yunel.
At best, Gonzalez is going to hit for a higher average, more power and better in the clutch than Yunel. At best, Gonzalez is not going to make lazy throws, try harder to get to balls and not let what happens at the plate affect his defense or vice versa. At best, Gonzalez is going to allow other players to concentrate on their own game and not his.
This is easily a good trade as the Braves are no worse than they were and possibly a lot better.
Mark Bradley
July 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
It’d be hard to hit less than Escobar has, Curt. No homers? Whoa.
Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
GREAT move. Escobar was struggling at the plate and had lapses in his fielding.
I sit right behind the on deck circle for the Braves. Every single hitter on deck limbers up, watches the pitcher and what he is doing with the previous player and concentrates.
Not our friend Mr Escobar – nope! Every at bat this season, Escobar slides to the on deck circle, and presto, turns his back to the pitcher and sort of poses as he takes “practice swings” that really are not of any purpose (neither to limber or time anything). Instead I have seen him eye the crowd, wink at women, and sort of pose for the crowd. A friend from Chicago was with me one night and saw this (I said nothing) and we both were sort of disgusted by his approach to the game and his lack of focus.
I think Bobby has been more than patient, and Wren made a very good move.
Goodbye head case Escobar hello professional Gonzales and prospects!
Myron Bolitar
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
We just traded away an ill-focused bushleaguer with raw talent for a PROFESSIONAL player. If you’ve been around baseball, you like this trade.
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
I will not miss the bat swinging smirk on the jumbotron at the Ted, or the highly gifted shortstop who was his biggest fan on the field.
He’ll look great in a toog.
Toronto is a beautiful city but is the abyss of MLB.
Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
Bill Martin has it right – check his special note about Infante. What planet is Ron May on?
scBravesfan
July 14th, 2010
4:55 pm
Love the trade. Just got sick and tired of Escobar not hustling. I wish him well in Toronto but I believe the Braves are better today than they were yesterday.
Ron
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
I watch live or DVR every televised game on Dish Network which is basically every game the Braves play. I also support the Gwinnett Braves—11 games last season and 6 games so far this season. I feel pretty qualified to comment on the Braves organization from the point of view of a fan. I attended several games during their worst to first season and even got to go to their last game in that World Series. I only follow the Braves, could care less about any other team and don’t watch any games for the sake of becoming the local sports expert at local sports bars.
You can find fault with ANY baseball player from time to time but the Braves organization itself is flawed. Bobby Cox is riding the coat tails of an organization that has been blessed with great players but has been badly mismanaged by Bobby. I’m sure Cox was influential in the Escobar “firing”. Only recently has the club started playing aggressively—-taking extra bases, stealing bases, squeeze plays (fire McCann for a stupid play on the squeeze play that he allowed a run to score on when all he had to do was walk the runner back to 3rd). Fire McCann for his poor throws to 2nd, for not blocking the plate (afraid to get hurt?), for his “eye”problem related batting slump.
I was privleged to attend the last Gwinnett Braves game he played in this year ending his rehab assignment just before he returned to the Braves. Me and the Braves Nation will miss him. Sorry, Yunel, but at least you won’t have to put up with an incompetant Bobby Cox anymore—-16 Championship years and ONE world Series Championship……
And another thing, the Kelly Johnson trade………
old brave, retired
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
We had to trade Escobar. Remember last year when he would stop running to first exactly one step after arriving at first. Cost him several hits because your eye and the umpire’s eye doesn’t see a blur running past bag. Optical illusion. So they called him out many times when he was safe. And the great plays followed by a series of bonehead plays on routine grounders. Irritating. Also probably cost Bobby Cox several ejections when he argued with umps when he was clearly out. I think the umps got back at him this year when he never got any calls on balls that were called strikes when they were clearly balls. I think the real meat of the trade was the left-handed 20 year old pitcher. Lots of strikes per innings pitched. Another great young pitcher. Frank is stockpiling minor league talent.
thickfreakness
July 14th, 2010
5:00 pm
ron-
What’s your point, are you just wearing a sign that sez I’m a freaking idiot.