Angels-Nats discussing deal for Yunel Escobar.

[Blarg]

I don't really care about losing Gott, I'm just pretty disappointed in our 'solution' at second base. Escobar is better than Giavotella, but I'm not sure he'll put as many wins on the board as Johnny did in 2015.

 

I doubt highly they are going to try and teach Escobar a new position at his age.

[KevinJ14]

I think Angels are giving up a reliever as well

[Docwaukee]

I don't really care about losing Gott, I'm just pretty disappointed in our 'solution' at second base. Escobar is better than Giavotella, but I'm not sure he'll put as many wins on the board as Johnny did in 2015.

you don't think Escobar will be worth 1 win?  

[KevinJ14]

I think Angels are giving up a reliever as well

Prospect*

[bloodbrother]

So when do we all come to terms with the fact that Salas will be the teams 7th inning guy?

[Erstad Grit]

bye freese

[AngelsLakersFan]

More than likely, I think Escobar slots in at 3rd right now. Gives them BIG time Freese leverage, 

With Freese's market pretty dry so far, this presses Freese's camp a bit and puts the Angels at an advantage. They can argue they have $7m 3B and that they don't have a need any longer. Escobar arguably will bring the same production as Freese for less money on a two-year deal (second year is an option) but the benefit here is Escobar could also play second or short AND can hit #1-2.

 

Escobar is pretty much a more versatile Freese that can leadoff. Good move. 

 

I agree with this but it assumes we are going to spend more money in the infield, or role with what kept us out of the post season last year.

 

If we are still looking for a good infielder, then I will be fine with this move. If we add Upton and Murphy I will be very happy with this offseason.

[Docwaukee]

So when do we all come to terms with the fact that Salas will be the teams 7th inning guy?

he won't be.  at least not for me.  The 7th inning will not exist in my universe if that's the case.  

[Turd Ferguson]

you don't think Escobar will be worth 1 win?  

 

He should be worth at least that. He had a 2 WAR last year. Steamer projects him at 1.3 next year. Typically, $6-7M = 1 WAR. He has a 21 WAR over 9 big league seasons. Outside of a -.1 blip, he's been in the 2-3 range for the most part throughout his career. If he gives us 3-4 over the next 2 years, and he could given his track record, he'll be a bargain.

[bloodbrother]

I agree with this but it assumes we are going to spend more money in the infield, or role with what kept us out of the post season last year.

 

If we are still looking for a good infielder, then I will be fine with this move. If we add Upton and Murphy I will be very happy with this offseason.

 

Yeah I can get down with this scenario

[AngelsLakersFan]

I highly doubt Johnny puts as many wins on the board in 2016 as he did in 2015.

 

I agree, which is why we need a real upgrade somewhere.

[AngelsLakersFan]

you don't think Escobar will be worth 1 win?  

I think Johnny was worth more than 1 win due to his 'clutchness'

 

I think Escobar is an upgrade, but only marginally. If he is a Freese replacement then I'm still not seeing too much improvement.

[Docwaukee]

I agree, which is why we need a real upgrade somewhere.

the real upgrade would come with Escobar putting up his usual numbers and when he sits, he's replaced by a capable pennington (who I wouldn't discount being our opening day 2bman btw).  

 

we had a 0.3 collective WAR from 2b last year.  We are already in a much better position in that regard. 

 

Still a lot of work to do though.  

[ksangel]

Has never played 2B so this seems like goodbye to Freese and time to give Cowart another year in the minors.

 

Contract will be $8M since there is a $1M team buyout for 2017.

 

Batted 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th when in Tampa in 2013 and 2014 but Nats batted him mostly 2nd or 3rd and even 24 games at lead-off and some in the clean up spot.

 

So yes a bunch of prospects for Street and Escobar...not bad

[totdprods]

If Escobar is playing 3B, I don't think the Angels will have any interest in Freese

Angels can move Esco to 2nd.

I don't think it's Plan A, but if late in the offseason Freese is available, we have some money, and feel the offense can improve still, it could be an option. All I'm saying is the Angels can tell Freese's camp that they already have someone who can deliver the same production as Freese and play multiple positions for $7m, and for them to be interested in having David back it's going to have to be around that number.

[Inside Pitch]

Forgive me if this has been pointed out as I'm skipping quite a few pages to avoid reading how the Angels have mortgaged their future by trading away a 50 inning guy..   But I think this is worth considering..

 

Career leading off: .290/356/.412.  

 

It's not a handful of at bats either -- he's over 1100 plate appearances leading off -- and the numbers batting second are pretty close: .294/.360/.395

Edited December 10, 2015 by Inside Pitch

[gotbeer]

Cheap, can play 2B, and leadoff.  Guess Eppler wasn't playing Maddon.

[Oz27]

Is the aim to put out an entire team of right handed hitters? I can live with this move but we need to fill LF and 2B with left handers. Even then our lineup would probably still be a little unbalanced.

[gurn67]

Eppler's keys to success:

1. Trade off all of your young, low priced, high upside pitching for cost controlled mediocre hitting veterans.

2. ?

3. Profit.

[tdawg87]

Forgive me if this has been pointed out as I'm skipping quite a few pages to avoid reading how the Angels have mortgaged their future by trading away a 50 inning guy..   But I think this is worth considering..

 

Career leading off: .290/356/.412.  

 

It's not a handful of at bats either -- he's over 1100 plate appearances leading off -- and the numbers batting second are pretty close: .294/.360/.395

 

BUT

[wopphil]

IMO, Escobar has been one of baseball's more underrated players the last few years. If he is able to hit .275/.335/.385/.720 and play average defense at second, he will be a huge upgrade.

[AngelsLakersFan]

the real upgrade would come with Escobar putting up his usual numbers and when he sits, he's replaced by a capable pennington (who I wouldn't discount being our opening day 2bman btw).  

 

we had a 0.3 collective WAR from 2b last year.  We are already in a much better position in that regard. 

 

Still a lot of work to do though.  

 

Color me skeptical. I see some new names, some potentially altered roles, and a whole lot of similar production. Escobar is a cheaper, more on base focused version of David Freese. That's all nice but if that's it for the infield you can convince me we are a half win better but so what? 

[bloodbrother]

Hasn't played 2B since 2007.....I just don't think that's where they're gonna play him. I think he's their 3B to replace Freese and the main appeal(to the Angels) is that it's really just a one yr deal for Escobar whereas they would have had to sign Freese to a multi-year deal

 

Escobar gives them another stop-gap option at 3B and then next year they go another route with perhaps Kubitza or Cowart or another trade/FA

[Richard]

@Ken_Rosenthal  15m15 minutes ago

Source: #Angels’ intention, if trade is completed, is to play Escobar at 3B. If team re-signs Freese, LAA can shift him to 2B.

 

 

So it could be

 

Escobar

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

LF

Cron

Freese

Perez

Simmons

 

 

Edit: There's only one Calhoun..that we know of.

Edited December 10, 2015 by Richard

[totdprods]

Hasn't played 2B since 2007.....I just don't think that's where they're gonna play him. I think he's their 3B to replace Freese and the main appeal(to the Angels) is that it's really just a one yr deal for Escobar whereas they would have had to sign Freese to a multi-year deal

Escobar gives them another stop-gap option at 3B and then next year they go another route with perhaps Kubitza or Cowart or another trade/FA

I agree that it isn't likely. Freese would have to fall into their lap and the rest of the offseason would have to fall apart. But it's an option and leverage.

Love that we have a leadoff hitter finally.