Angels Bolster Infield, Trade For Former All-Star Eduardo Escobar
Eduardo Escobar reacts after hitting a triple and completing the cycle.
Gregory Bull/Associated Press
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired former All-Star Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets. Being sent back to New York are pitching prospects Landon Marceaux and Coleman Crow.
Escobar is hitting .236/.286/.409 this season, but has seen his role reduced due to the rise of Mets rookie Brett Baty. On the Angels, Escobar should see a much increased role due to the recent injuries to both Anthony Rendon and Gio Urshela.
Escobar has been a very consistent bat for the past few years. With a change of scenery and more playing time, the Angels should have a player that will provide stable production as the Halos chase a playoff berth.
Funnily enough, MLB Network analyst Bo Porter recently proposed a trade that would send Escobar to the Angels, only his idea was a little more extreme than the trade that actually occurred.
Needless to say, a 12-player trade including the MVP frontrunner was a far-fetched pitch. But to Porter’s credit, he did correctly predict Escobar being traded to the Angels.
As for the Mets’ return, they get the Angels’ number 19 and 20 ranked prospects, according to mlb.com. Both Crow and Marceaux have been playing for the Angels’ AA affiliate, the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
While the Mets get a solid pair of propects for Escobar, they will be eating most of Escobar’s 9.5 million dollar contract for this season.
Overall, this looks to be a win-win deal as the injured Angels get a replacement for Urshela and Rendon at 3rd base, while the Mets get some top prospects and open up a spot on their MLB roster.