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
Don
July 15th, 2010
10:22 am
Don’t get too excited – This is Alex Gonzalez – who in Eleven full seasons before this year has a career BA of less than .250, an OBA of slightly above .290, and has averaged less than 10 HR per year.
Odds are that with Escobars talent under a new manager and hitting coach he will get squared away and we will really regret this move in the future.
Tweets that mention Addition by subtraction: The Braves dump Yunel Escobar | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 15th, 2010
10:42 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dustin Valencia, Shi Davidi. Shi Davidi said: No love for Yunel in the ATL! http://tinyurl.com/35uoace [...]
scBravesfan
July 15th, 2010
10:47 am
Braveshoo – how do you KNOW Escobar was going to hit better in the second half? The answer, of course, is you don’t…
don
July 15th, 2010
10:49 am
To call it addition by subtraction sums it up well. However, I’m not inclined to give Wren/Schuerholz any credit. Ttrade merely adds to the overwhelming evidence that the Teixeira trade was one of the worst moves in major league history.
At the time of the trade and thereafter, many of you posters scoffed at my position that Andrus would be a far superior shortstop to Escobar. Many said that Andrus was merely a raw prospect and Escobar was the “future of the Braves”. Well, you were obviously wrong and this trade further illustrates it in bold letters.
The Braves are better off without Escobar regardless of who takes his place. Still, wouldn’t it have been nice to stick Andrus, the very youthful .300 hitting all-star with the great range and limited upside at shortstop, in the lineup? Feliz wouldn’t look too bad in the bullpen either.
don
July 15th, 2010
10:51 am
Obviously it is “unlimited potential”.
Rhino
July 15th, 2010
11:01 am
Wren said we were two years from figuring out who will take over shortstop. I guess that means picking up Gonzalez’s option for next year is already a done deal.
http://www.rhinorant.com
Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls
July 15th, 2010
12:23 pm
Elvis is not hitting .300 (.280) but has a great OBP.
0 HRs and 25 RBIs but I dont look at that if he gets on base which he does. No offense to Elvis but AL does not have alot of great SS and thats why he made All-Star. But i would take him in a second over Escobar. He will eventually be a GREAT player
GoBravez
July 15th, 2010
12:58 pm
Kris – actually, you sir, are the idiot. Teams can’t base decisions always on what might be but what they can actually see and measure. Based on observable facts, this trade has the greater potential to improve the Braves rather than doing nothing. You are totally clueless if you can’t recognize that fact.
Brave New World
July 15th, 2010
1:04 pm
Escobar was a very good clutch hitter for the Braves until this year. I wish him and Jo Jo well in Toronto. This is a good trade, but not a great trade at present. If either of the 2 prospects work out well for the braves then this will be a great trade. I think Gonzalez makes the most sense as the number 6 or 7 hitter in the line up – he has good power but is not a guy who gets on base that much.
Timmy
July 15th, 2010
1:29 pm
I missed the ESPYS last night…did LeJoke win for ‘Diva of the Year’?
Timmy
July 15th, 2010
1:33 pm
thickfreakness…is that a black keys reference?
MitchC
July 15th, 2010
1:37 pm
While Escobar is younger, I still like this trade. I’d rate it a “solid single”. It gives us another power bat in the lineup, and a bat with a bit better average than Escobar. For this team, four games in first place, that wants to win now, and win a World Series in Bobby’s last year, I think it was the right move.
I just hope we can come out of the All Star Break with as much intensity as we had going into it. We baseball vets know that a four game lead with seventy five games to go is nothing, but, it is a good starting point to have teams like the Mets and Phillies chasing us, instead of us chasing them.
Tom
July 15th, 2010
3:06 pm
RON APRIL or RON SEPTEMBER or whatever you call yourself this time?? One question please, are you also known as VICK SUPPORTER on the Atlanta Falcon blogs??
crymeariver
July 15th, 2010
4:03 pm
It amazes me, as to the high percentage of morons that think the Esco and Reyes for Gonzo, and two minor league prospects is a bad trade.
Braves vs. Blue Jays trade=======Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!
BravesFanForever
July 15th, 2010
4:40 pm
I just don’t get what everyone sees in Escobar. He’s never had a HUGE season in the minors or majors. He’s been average to above average. Those kind of players can be had at any time.
Case in point: Last year. While so many people make him out to be the MVP of the Braves, he only had 14 home runs. Decent total for a SS but not great. 76 RBIs? Nice, but not great. .299 average? Pretty good, but not great..436 slugging? Okay, but not great. I could go on and on and on. He has been in the majors for 4 years now. How long should we have waited until this guy showed what he supposedly can do? After 446 games he couldn’t figure it out?
Frankly, I think he reached his potential and this season was VERY telling of the real Yunel. Great players do NOT have terrible seasons like this without being injured. There is nothing wrong with him except what is swelled between his ears…
Good bye and possibly good luck. I hesitate to say it because I’d rather not have it come back to bite us … LOL
BravesFanForever
July 15th, 2010
4:52 pm
You know why Gonzales is a great addition? Not only attitude and some power, but also because the Braves get on base so much. They lead the league in walks so to get someone who swings away in the lower part of the line up can help. I know some of you guys aren’t going to like these comments (walks are everything!). But at some point you have to hit the ball right?
James Harden
July 15th, 2010
4:59 pm
This is a great move for Braves – great subtraction. In a game just before AS game Escobar’s indifferent play on a throw to 1b almost caused Glaus to get hurt. I had never seen a player yell at a teammate that way, nor hear the TV commentators pan a player’s effort so matter of fact. There were 3 instances in that game where his lack of effort was noticable…good riddance.
Scorekeeping: Yunel Escobar’s Situation and Marlon Byrd’s Hustle « Dingers
July 15th, 2010
5:58 pm
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution implicitly calls out Escobar for his lack of hustle. Consider reading Bradley’s full article: 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.” [...]
GaryG7
July 15th, 2010
8:33 pm
mowreck, calling Yunel the best defensive shortstop in the division is a big overstatement of him. Maybe, just maybe, he has the potential, but his half-a$$ed play prevent him from reaching his potential. The occasional diving stop is greatly overshadowed by his lollipop throws to first, his lack of hustle, etc. I’ve wondered if he is ADD because of his lack of focus.
Alex has usually hit better in the NL than in the AL. I don’t expect him to continue with his power production, but he is good for 15 HR and 60-75 RBIs in a normal year. The only disappointment is that the Braves still don’t have somebody capable of stealing 30-40 bases a year. (Okay, maybe Hicks or Blanco have the speed, but they don’t have the stealing skills, or in Hicks’ case, the ability to get on base often enough.)
Also, getting rid of Jo Jo is great for the Braves. Bobby gave him so many chances that I wonder if Jo Jo has incriminating photos of him.
Alex has played for a champion. That is significant if the Braves are to advance in the post season.
BamBam10
July 15th, 2010
9:00 pm
As a Jays fan, it is interesting to see the wide range of opinions about Escobar; obviously we hope that he will be able to capitalize on his talent, and shake his prima-dona image – we already got rid of Alex Rios, so we don’t need another one. In Gonzalez you are getting back a player who might just be playing the best short stop in the AL this season, and has seen his power come back in a big way. More importantly, it seems he is a real positive influence in the lockeroom and is great in the clutch – you got a real good player coming back. Hopefully this is a deal that will help both teams…good luck the rest of the way Brave fans.
Christopher Chance
July 15th, 2010
9:31 pm
Troy Glaus’ inability to make tough scoops playing first base could come back and hurt the Braves in close ball games. There are times when Glaus makes Dave Kingman look like a Gold Glove winner.
Buckeyeboy52
July 16th, 2010
12:07 am
My favorite player of all time is Pete Rose. Why? My response is what was his nickname? – Charlie Hussle. He played the game the way you are supposed to. Escobar gave half effort. It infuriated me to watch him play.
Buckeyeboy52
July 16th, 2010
12:13 am
BamBam – I am sorry, but you guys got the $hit end of the stick.
Ron January
July 16th, 2010
12:29 am
Tom:
I’m definately not a Vick supporter….
BTW, in tonight’s game vs. Milwaukee, couldn’t help but notice…..
1.) Chipper booting another “shoulda’ had” play at 3rd (charged an error)
2.) Chipper lolly-gagging towards 1st on a ground out (What if the fielder bobbled the ball?)
3.) Chipper swooping in front of Gonzalez three times to take the easy grounders away from him.
Also, BTW, the fly ball Gonzalez hit tonite probably would have been a homer in Toronto. Here it’s just another flyout………….OK, hold on a second……let me take a few deep breaths……..there, I feel a little better…….I’m REALLY having a hard time with this Escobar thing….. I know it…..but the whole deal stinks to me and I can’t help it. I had the same issues with JP Losman and the Buffalo Bills after Losman took a cheap shot from Patriots’ Wilfork effectively ending a promising career at QB. Losman got screwed by the Bills during re-hab….
Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you…..that’s life, I guess———–but only ONE World Series Championship after 14 or 15 or 16 (whatever) division titles???? Bobby, Bobby, Bobby…..Why, why, WHY didn’t you quit last year like you promised us you would.
Younel would still be our SS…..
Ron January
July 16th, 2010
12:31 am
Enter your comments here
Ron January
July 16th, 2010
12:55 am
Tom—Definately not “Vick Supporter”. No fan in ANY which way…..
Kyle
July 16th, 2010
6:29 am
This trade is worse than the trade for church. Why would you trade you of the most talented short stops in the game for a guy who is past his prime. I understand hes having a good year but you think its going to continue. The guy is under a career .250 hitter. While Yunel is almost a career .300 hitter. Yes Yunel is having a bad year, but doesnt every one. Chippers having an under productive season to what hes used to but is anyone screaming to trade him. McClouth is having a terrible year batting uner .200 but is he leaving? No. Maybe the trade will help our hitting for this year. I dont see it extening far after that. The defence is heavily being down graded. Escobar may boot a few balls but every one makes errors. Seems that every one has forgoten all the great plays he has made. Some times the braves make the dumbest moves. But on the bright side the rest of the players gained are good. Jo-jo wasnt going to do anything anytime soon
Don
July 16th, 2010
9:12 am
Don’t get your expectations too high relating to Gonzalez. He hit 17 Home Runs in the first half. My guess is that his Home Run total for the second half will be closer to 5 than to 17. In the 11 seasons before this year, he has averaged less than 10 Home Runs per year. His career BA is less than .250 and his OBA less than .300. He will seldom take a walk, walking only about every 20 times at bat. Also, according to some, he is a dead pull hitter – which probably means that he can be pitched to effectively.
BUBBA GUMP
July 16th, 2010
11:34 am
A.D.D. is a terrible condition………………………..IT CAN GET U TRADED LOL
DeafGary
July 16th, 2010
5:53 pm
Having been deafened at the age of ten, I lost not only my heairing and balance but also my sporting ability, which ends, with loss of balance.
Between the years 1970 and 1972, I went from being a star to a flop, but I think even I could have outplayed Escobar.
Maybe he’ll grow up, after having been shipped to a lower team. Maybe he’ll wake up and realize that, in this business, he has to perform to stay…Otherwise, he’ll be traded again and again, until he is thrown out of baseball as another would-be talent, who never grew (up) into his potential.
Paddy O
July 16th, 2010
7:04 pm
Ron – you are a sad fellow – an ingrate, and a moron to boot. Escobar stunk. the ditched his ass while the all star game was being played – very slick move. The Braves will play better without him. Enough said.
Tom
July 16th, 2010
7:45 pm
Tons of physical talent with absolutely nothing between his ears. A typical Latin bonehead.
BamBam10
July 16th, 2010
9:51 pm
Buckeye boy…how so? btw Escobar has already made 2 great plays in the field tonight
Nick
July 17th, 2010
1:53 pm
Yunel has always been an issue in the clubhouse…too bad the ownership couldn’t realize it a couple of years ago and not traded away our real SS of the future in Elvis Andrus for a “flash in the pan/grass is always greener” player like Tex. That was one of the worst trades in Braves history, hopefully Collins and the other SS in this deal will pan out, but we would be fine at SS now, if these guys had made a good decision a couple years ago.
Wreckmaniac
July 17th, 2010
6:37 pm
Perhaps Escobar didn’t respond to Cox because Cox didn’t know how how handle Escobar. Escobar will be an All-Star and there is a manager out there that will turn him into a prize.
Wreckmaniac
July 17th, 2010
6:38 pm
Look at the player that Fucal has become since he left Atlanta. The same thing will happen for Escobar.
Wreckmaniac
July 17th, 2010
6:42 pm
Toronto, in its permanent determination to be a 3rd rate team, will trade Escobar during the off season for a half dozen minor leaguers and a bunch of money.
The Dodgers’ Approach To Matt Kemp « Acrylic Sports
August 13th, 2010
5:13 pm
[...] He “was slow to learn to be a professional,” someone who drew the ire of his manager and “infuriate[d] some members of the organization” with his approach. No, we’re not talking about Matt Kemp, though similar things have certainly been said about him this season. Various reporters used those words to describe Yunel Escobar before and after the Braves traded him to the Blue Jays last month. [...]