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
Lebo
July 14th, 2010
8:16 pm
I was fortunate enough to be at the Greg Maddux number retirement luncheon last year. There were quite a few present and former Braves players on hand and, when, they were introduced all were dressed professionally in sport coat and tie. Yunel, however, showed up in some high collar jacket with about 20 gold buttons and sunglasses. Apparently, he did not understand the occasion was for Greg and not him. I knew then that this day would come sooner or later. The Braves have no room for prima donnas and I don’t, either. This fellow has talent but he needs to grow up.
Lebo
July 14th, 2010
8:19 pm
Oh, and to Ron April, it should work the same in baseball the same way it works in my job. You get the money when you prove you deserve it.
J-Man
July 14th, 2010
8:19 pm
Lets get that outfield bat and win this thing!!!!!!!! Now to go further, if we can get our bat without trading Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Freddie Freeman it will be an utter and absolute sucesss.
Toronto Fan
July 14th, 2010
8:27 pm
I think everyone here is overrating Gonazalez`s power. Guys don`t discover a power stroke at 33. If you have ever watched one of his home runs, they barely make it out of the park. Many of his Toronto home runs would be long outs in Atlanta.
Going to miss Collins though. Would be real interesting to see if a guy that short (he probably only 5`5 – even though he is listed as taller) could make it at the major league level, or if hitters could figure out his tricky delivery.
Joe Mama Angie Daddy
July 14th, 2010
8:29 pm
When someone is putting up good numbers you can put up with some crap, but no homers and 19 rbi’s, he had to go. Everyone that i have talked to since the trade is really happy about it, especially my old school Dad.
Four games up, 74 to play: Can the Braves hold on? Sure – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
July 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
[...] someone different — Omar Infante, Kris Medlen, Brooks Conrad — delivering when deployed. (And the subtraction of Yunel Escobar should only enhance the [...]
Yunel1Fan
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
Smart baseball writer Jonah Keri posted a thought-provoking tweet this afternoon that said, “If Yunel Escobar was a charming white guy, would they trade him for a 33-year-old with a career .294 OBP?”
What about that??? I totally agree with this guy. Bobby and the Braves have to understand that not all people in the world are American or ACT amercian. It is sad to see a great player go just beacuse they did not like him as a person. Now we got 5 years backward in the SS position and maybe more just because they did not like or could not understand Yunel. SAD SAD SAD.
Ron September
July 14th, 2010
8:51 pm
Lebo—-I suppose you didn’t consider Deon Sanders a prima donna……
As far as earning your pay before you get it, Younel earned it last year. Unfortunately, he got screwed by the Braves. Maybe he’s playin’ what they’re payin’………
And TOM—–before you call me an idiot, do some research and try writing more than 10 or 15 words. You don’t give me anything to work with……but that just may be your plan, you sly fox, you.
welikebaseball2
July 14th, 2010
8:57 pm
Blah, blah, blah, “addition by subtraction,” blah, blah, blah, “he was a cancer,” blah, blah, whatever. And you wonder why a lot of sports’ superstars don’t want to come to Atlanta? It’s because if they show any inkling of personality or if they’re don’t prove to be a choir boy, Atlanta “fans” call them a “cancer.” Do I approve of Escobar’s lack of hustle at times? Absolutely not. Do I think the fanbase is a bit unrealistic in their desire to have a team full of perfect “character” guys? Absolutely so. You know what their version of the perfect player is…perfect attitude, perfect work ethics, etc. While that would be ideal, the reality is there is no such thing as the perfect team of perfect “character” guys. Every franchise has to tolerate some level of imperfection. Of all the drama franchises across the majors deal with, I’d like to believe Escobar’s would rank in the lower third. And before you go with, well so & so is a great character guy…why can’t he be more like him? Well, maybe because they’re 2 different people. Just a practical thought.
As for the baseball reasons for the trade, I’m not opposed. A little skeptical, but not opposed. Whether or not it’s a good move will be clear in about another year. If Gonzalez provides an offensive upgrade & Escobar continues to slide, I say good move. If not, we’ve just given away a young player with tons of upside remaining for a 1 & a half season rental (knowing Braves management & ownership).
james
July 14th, 2010
9:07 pm
Yunel was just a kid. Who wasn’t a little stubborn and cocky at the age of 27? I hope all the best for Yunel. Prove them wrong again my brother!!! Good luck in Toronto!!
taxman kenneth
July 14th, 2010
9:30 pm
Maybe Texas will feel sorry for the braves and give Elvis Andrus back to the braves since they stole him from the braves in the Tex fiasco. Just a thought!
Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
9:42 pm
Bobby doesn’t need to pull diva-duty anymore! Woohoo! Glad Yunel’s outta Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong..thank you Yunel but everyone was tired of the antics.
Marc in FL
July 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
They got rid of Frenchie cause he had become a distraction; now they did the same with Escobar. It’s unfortunate for him as he’ll never sniff the post-season as long as he’s with the Blue Jays. Hey, some guys just aren’t mentally there, get rid of’em and move on.
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
Since I’ve gone ahead and defended Frank today and lauded the trade, J.P. Ricciardi of ESPN loves said the Braves got the better end of this trade. He ought to know, he is the former Toronto GM. He especially likes Collins. Nice work, Frank. If you pull another move like this, I will definitely consider changing my handle.
Marc in FL
July 14th, 2010
9:49 pm
I cannot for the life of my understand why so many people try to connect race with everything. We traded a Cuban for a Venezualon (sp?), two commie hispanic countries. This is not about race; it is about kids not knowing when to grow up.
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
Strike the word loves in my previous post. J.P. didn’t say he loved this trade, I said that earlier.
I Hate Liberty Media (Though Not as Much Today)
July 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
Good riddance! Yunel’s not our headache anymore. Great deal by Frank Wren which shows the Braves are going to try to win now…and won’t tolerate distractions in the clubhouse. The prima donna is Toronto’s problem now.
Mitchell
July 14th, 2010
10:17 pm
What, is he going to hit another World Series game winning homerun this year?
Bad trade. I don’t like it. We traded the most dynamic defensive short stop in the game for a 33 year old batting .259 because he doesn’t tow Bobby Cox’s line?
Fine, Bobby and Chipper hate his guts. They’re gone in three and a half months. So is Gonzalez.
Who’s our short stop next year? And the year after that?
When is TP going to be held responsible for the offensive failures of countless Braves players in recent years? What does he even do?
Mitchell
July 14th, 2010
10:35 pm
welikebaseball2
July 14th, 2010
8:57 pm
Great post. I can’t believe this crap. And we’re still stuck with Melky and Nate McLouth.
Hello?! Anybody seriously think we’re going to win a single playoff series if those guys are given playing time?
I do not.
Why are we suddenly putting so much emphasis on having a homerun hitter? The Braves are showing people how to win games by making pitchers work, having patient at-bats, walking, etc.
We just got a career .248 hitter who happens to have seventeen homeruns this year. We had homerun hitters for years and watched them get shut down in the playoffs, swinging and missing.
We need more from this guy than just homeruns.
Lastly, who do we think makes D-Lowe and Huddy such successful ground ball pitchers?
Hudson leads the league in double plays. I’m not trying to take anything away from him but that probably wouldn’t be possible without Yunel Escobar.
Craig
July 14th, 2010
10:43 pm
I for one am glad he is gone. He was not a professional, he in fact was childlike. I think he is a lot smaller this year than he has been. No home runs, makes you wonder.
Max
July 14th, 2010
10:50 pm
Alex Gonzalez, last 75 games: .246/.284/.456
Dawgs07
July 14th, 2010
10:53 pm
Nice article. Good move Wren. Braves all the way
Rollo
July 14th, 2010
10:59 pm
A good move, trading Yunel “6-3″ Escobar. Seems like every time I saw him bat, he would ground out to shortstop. Maybe some of those routine grounders will find holes on the artificial turf in Toronto.
gcs
July 14th, 2010
11:24 pm
Language barrier is a BS excuse. There are plenty of Braves in the past four seasons who speak Spanish. What about Kenshin Kawakami? He came to a Braves team who probably did not have a single person in the organization who spoke his language. He is having a rough season but you cannot tell me he does not try his best every minute he is on the payroll.
Escobar just moped around all the time and was not good for the locker room.
.
Mitchell
July 14th, 2010
11:32 pm
I can’t wait to see Yunel making his leaping catches and turning those freakish double plays in Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park over the next two years or more.
He’s going to show us up. I’m absolutely convinced he’ll be an all star before long.
I understand all the reasons for making the trade. I don’t like them but I understand them.
All I can say is if I were Frank Wren I’d fire Terry Pendleton in a heart beat. He’s shown over and over again that he’s incapable of having any kind of influence on the Braves hitters.
I don’t get it. How do you still have a job when when of the best hitters on the team can’t hit a single homerun?
That really bothers me. I can’t see a single thing that Terry Pendleton contributes to this team.
thunderbull56
July 15th, 2010
1:14 am
Attitude is everything. I too championed Yunel.Knucklehead seems to be the Braves mantra at short the last two decades.Reference Rafi the Dodger,all star starter.Buck gives ten, I take Yuni over Rafi. Sad. Some people never “Get It”.Anybody notice Texas’ All stars’? Andrus and Neftali? Last seen as Braves up and comers ’till Tex ruined a damn good long term plan.Come on John!
CaptainMudderland
July 15th, 2010
1:16 am
There is light at the end of the Yunel!
Ron November
July 15th, 2010
2:04 am
Interesting point about Gonzales mentioned by a Bluejay fan. His homers barely cleared the wall in Toronto. He said here in Atlanta, they’d probably just be long outs. Wonder if Wren took that into consideration…..
Maybe someone here knows: Is any Braves player making less than Escobar ($435,000)? That’s pretty pathetic for a regular starting SS in the Majors…
I just can’t wait until clueless Bobby Cox leaves and takes Terry Pendleton and Chipper Jones with him. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: 16 straight division championships with a boatload of great ball players and only ONE World Series Championship to show for it. All the Braves accomplished during Cox’s reign was to stop the Mets, Phillies, and Marlins from going to the playoffs for all those years——-and then usually getting knocked out in the first round.
What an embarrassment…..
Pobothecat
July 15th, 2010
2:26 am
The Braves have Omar Infante signed through next year. That’s what gives them the ability to make this deal. Beyond that, the next candidate for the job is Mycal Jones. Follow this to learn more.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=SS&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=571827
He’s a 23 yr old at High-A Myrtle Beach, showing a bit more bat this year. He is far from a blue chip prospect. (Not that that means everything, as we Prado fans know.)
As for Pastornicky, Bradley hasn’t done his homework. He projects as more the next-generation Infante. A speedy guy with smarts and attitude — his dad is a scout. Utility guy in the making. A useful piece, a placeholder, a utility guy in the making, but not the next generation SS.
More interesting is Tim Collins, the pitcher in this deal. A pure reliever, he is five feet six with a Lincecum-lite delivery signed not out of college or high school but at an open tryout camp. And check out these numbers — 294 career strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings of minor league ball with career rates of 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings against just 5.9 hits allowed. He’s at double-A right now and succeeding.
As for Alex Gonzalez, remember, this 33 yr old has a .296 OBP this year. He’s the kind of guy who can go 2 for 43 at any time.
If this is a Francouer 2.0 type trade, I suspect Frank Wren sees Gonzalez as Troy Glaus 2.0. His last four years have been injury-riddled. And he remains injury prone. But this is purely a pennant-drive/playoff move. Getting the experience and reliability Yunel wasn’t yet able to provide and the bump in power that, let’s be honest, the front office has yet to put in the outfield.
Final note: one man’s veteran is another man’s DL. Chipper. Troy Glaus. Now Alex Gonzalez. Combine that injury history with the least productive outfield in baseball and, well, there are only so many holes Infante can fill. This deal is far from an obvious plus for Atlanta.
Pobothecat
July 15th, 2010
2:37 am
And is that THE Al Hrabosky who has joined the discussion?
Mike McDonald
July 15th, 2010
3:01 am
Yunel and his smile,
Sometimes without guile,
(And gold)
Will be missed.
Yunel, with his scowl
And his head under a towel
Will not.
Yunel, with his arm
And his acrobatic charm
Will be missed.
Yunel, with his chip
On his his shoulder,
And his attitude, as a Castro beholder,
Never made him a part
Of Cox’s army from the start
Yunel left Cuba on a raft,
So they say
But he never got the drift
Of the USA way
He may ultimately thrive,
In the land of the Jays
But we’re glad (and Glaus)
That he’s no longer with US.
yunel escobar | Trendy News
July 15th, 2010
3:44 am
[...] and Jays tradeNew York TimesNew York Daily News (blog) -San Francisco Chronicle -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 531 news [...]
fayncdawg
July 15th, 2010
3:55 am
NOT A HOMER WHATSOEVER!! And in some ways, this written piece is a TOTAL contradiction of a piece written by MB a few weeks ago about the Braves needing to acquire BJ Upton. A player, who like Yunel, is of so-so production and below so-so professionalism. Yunel is still young and has a far higher career BA than Gonzales. The Braves are in first, 16 games above. The Jays are in fourth, 3-5 games below. I understand the concern about Yunel’s profesionalim. But I’m concerned about Gonzales being of any benefit in the long term (I’m not so sure he’ll be beneficial in the short). Just hope the Braves don’t squander the division lead.
JTH
July 15th, 2010
3:59 am
Ron- that would be 14 straight division titles.
Yunel isn’t even worth what he was making. He has joined Francouer in the “Believe what you read about yourself” club. Also became Americanised in a hurry.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
July 15th, 2010
4:52 am
Andres Thomas = Yunel Escobar.
Two incredibly talented short stops who ruined their careers in Atlanta because they both simply could not pull their heads out of their asses.
Chef Mentuer
July 15th, 2010
5:32 am
FIRST! on the last page!
Chef Mentuer
July 15th, 2010
5:32 am
trade chipper1
Leland
July 15th, 2010
6:27 am
hey mark, just read your july 9 article on the heat……really funny last sentence given the all star game 9th inning. Your predictions are more accurate when you don’t even realize you are making one.
mike
July 15th, 2010
6:39 am
yunel needed a change and a new manager
mike
July 15th, 2010
6:48 am
cito will be a great mentor for him
Ron
July 15th, 2010
7:02 am
Toronto guy here. Gonzalez’s power was a nice surprise, but best of all he just exudes professionalism. I was sad to see him go, and wonder what we saw in Yunie. Gonzalez will win over Braves fans I’m sure.
braveshoo
July 15th, 2010
7:10 am
This is a bad trade. Eunel was hurt earlier in the year, but played through it. His offense suffered, but he was one of the best defensive SS in the game. His hitting had started to come around( around ,300 the last month). Yes he made a few mistakes that made people mad. For example, on the throw to Glaus, he was on the 2nd base side of the Infield and moving towards ist. My guess is he tried to take a little off the throw to not throw it past Glaus, and took too much off-not that he was being lazy. Yunel was going to hit better in the 2nd half, and his superb fielding will be missed by our pitching staff who will not be as good as a result. You dont change starters on a ist place club. If you think you have an attitude problem, handle it in the clubhouse. Thats what good managers do.
Lebo
July 15th, 2010
8:17 am
Ron, I certainly would call Dione a prima donna and so did Braves management. John Schuerholz said in his book he could not get him out of the Braves fast enough. The problem with these guys is they cause drama which takes away from everyone’s performance on the field.
Tralfaz
July 15th, 2010
8:23 am
So why didn’t they trade chipper when he fell asleep & let a grounder pass by his foot? Oh well…once Esco has a competent hitting coach, he’ll do much better in the 2nd half.
Keith
July 15th, 2010
8:28 am
As a Toronto fan who has watched Gonzales play all year, let me tell you all that you’re in for a treat watching him play shortstop. He is unbelievable defensively. At least twice a week he’ll make a play that will blow your mind, and the pitching staff will no doubt appreciate it. I am doubtful that he’ll be able to put up similar power numbers in the second half but he’s a great guy to have on a playoff-bound team with his solid post-season experience. Best of luck.
Braves, Bluejays Writers Weigh In On Escobar Trade « TheUpperCardNetwork.com
July 15th, 2010
9:22 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution believes that the deal was addition by subtraction, as it wasn’t an equal exchange of talent in return. Escobar has been given any and every chance by the Braves, but always failed to be professional. Bradley implies that the Braves probably would have continued taking the risk on Escobar, if he had been hitting like he was last season. Regardless of the Braves standing in the National League, this was the right move, at the right time. [...]
Don
July 15th, 2010
9:23 am
The trade of Escobar may or may not have good results relating to the second half of this season. But my bet is that this is something that we are really going to regret in the future. Odds are that a new manager and a new hitting coach (hopefully) next year could have squared him away into one of the best overall shortstops in baseball.
Jim in Toronto
July 15th, 2010
9:34 am
Braves fans, get ready for a shortstop who is having a career year at the plate, has an amazing glove and who hustles every play, every day.
MJ
July 15th, 2010
9:54 am
Great trade for the Braves! Gonzales is solid and is definitely and upgrade, on and off the field. Escobar was a head case and when he almost killed Glaus last week against the Mets w/ that lazy throw I am sure that was the last straw for Bobby and Wren. Bobby hates players like that so it was only a question of time for Escobar to go the way of the doe doe. Great move, now get one more OF bat and we are set for the stretch run.
Telling Like It Is
July 15th, 2010
10:10 am
The Braves have given up on two young shortstops(Andrus and Escobar) over the past three years. Guys of their calibre do not grow on trees. Defense is always overlooked. I have seen some of the 14 errors and some of them were bad scoring in my opinion. They now have a older guy up for free agency in 2011. If they win the pennant and the World Series, then it was a good short term deal. If they do not, then it is dumb move.