Minnesota Twins: Emotions make it complicated but trading Eduardo Escobar might be best
By Nate Palmer
The Minnesota Twins have firmly fallen out of postseason contention and it is time to listen to trade offers on fan favorite Eduardo Escobar.
The Minnesota Twins have lost five out of their last six games. That stretch of losing has all but removed the Twins from any hopes of being a playoff team. The only chance left is some sort of historic winning stretch to finish 2018. Something that just doesn’t look possible unless Jorge Polanco comes in riding on a white horse this week with All-Star level Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano behind him.
So we are at the point where we start asking the question. Which players can the Twins trade to a team who is contending without hindering the long-term aspirations of the club? We and many others have covered the fact that the Twins may just not have much to sell at the trade deadline. One player teams will certainly be interested in is infielder Eduardo Escobar.
Escobar has been one-half of the “Two Eddies” whose performances have probably kept Twins fans somewhat sane this season. Escobar has gone from long shot hope for value in the Francisco Liriano trade, to valuable utility infielder, to a solid fill-in for Sano and budding star. As the Twins have struggled up and down the roster, Escobar provides the most value for the Twins on the trade market.
What can be hard as a fan is that we have all had a front seat in a sense to Escobar turning into a very good major league player. That makes us feel somewhat invested in him and we would like to see that success always comes in a Twins uniform. Even though Escobar is a free agent at season’s end and could come back to Minnesota if he would like. Trading him just feels like the last thing you want to do with a player you want to keep around. A player that is like a family member for many of Twins Territory.
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If the Twins are looking to continue to build their baseball team, Escobar creates the best opportunity for that midseason 2018. There are several contenders that could use some infield help including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels. Escobar can come in and either start full-time at a position for any of these teams or be a more roving utility type. Something we commend about the championship winning Chicago Cubs’ Ben Zobrist or even last season’s champion Houston Astros who had Marwin Gonzalez.
As a fan, I want Escobar on the Twins. I want Escobar to be part of what will hopefully be a competitive team in 2019. If I am the Twins front office, I am approaching Escobar and laying out the facts. The Twins aren’t going anywhere this year, but we want you (Escobar) to be here when we do. For this season we want your great success to be rewarded so we will trade you to a contender, but make sure we as the Twins get the first shot this offseason when it comes to free agency. If indications are correct, that may be the type of conversation that will happen soon. Rumors are that the Twins may be starting to listen to offers on the league leader in doubles.
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The Twins will be able to go into 2019 without Escobar if they need to with Nick Gordon, Ehire Adrianza, Polanco and hopefully a rehabbed Sano. Escobar provides the type of player and insurance that is a great asset to a competitive team. For now, the Twins are not a World Series contender and need to add as many quality players as they can to the organization. Parting with Escobar this trade deadline is one way they can do just that.