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BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Minnesota Twins throws to first base during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Minnesota Twins throws to first base during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Twins 3B Eduardo Escobar Reportedly Traded to Diamondbacks

Kyle Newport
Jul 27, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly acquired third baseman Eduardo Escobar from the Minnesota Twins ahead of Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.

Jon Heyman of Fancred reported Friday the two teams had reached an agreement on a trade. According to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, Minnesota will receive minor-leaguersย Jhoan Duran (right-handed pitcher), Ernie De La Trinidad (outfielder) and Gabriel Maciel (outfielder) in return.

The 29-year-old infielder is making $4.85 million in 2018 and is in the final year of his contract, perย Spotrac.

Escobar is having the best season of his career, hitting .274/.338/.514 with 15 home runs, an MLB-leading 37 doubles, three triples and 63 RBI. He has already set a career-high in doubles in just 97 games, and he is approaching career-highs in home runs (21) and RBI (73), both of which he set last year.

The switch-hitter has done most of his damage this season fromย the left sideย of the plate, hitting .282 with 13 home runs and 30 doubles against right-handers.

Adding Escobar gives Arizona some versatility to work with. He has made appearance at second, third and shortstop this season, spending the majority of his time at the hot corner. Not only that, but he also hasย hit everywhereย but the leadoff spot and seventh in 2018, although he typically finds himself right in the middle of the order.

Arizona third baseman Jake Lamb (.222 average with six home runs and 31 RBI in 56 games) has struggled after making his first All-Star team a season ago, and heย reinjuredย his shoulder on Thursday. Overall, Arizonaย third basemenโ€”led by Lambโ€”rankย 29th in average (.219) while the shortstopsย rankย 26th in the majors in average (.235).

In other words, Escobar's bat will provide a nice upgrade to the left side of the infield.

At 56-48, the Diamondbacks trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by just 1.5 games in the National League West and are just a half-game back of the Atlanta Braves for the second wild-card spot. If Escobar does indeed head to the desert, that's one less hole in the Arizona lineup, giving the team a better shot at making a playoff run.

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