The Chicago White Sox could use Eduardo Escobar’s services. The team has been riddled with injuries and the offense is struggling to regain the power they displayed a year before. Escobar could be just what the doctor ordered for the White Sox, a power-hitting infielder with versatility.
The Chicago White Sox could be in on Eduardo Escobar on the trade market.
Bob Nightengale reported earlier this week that the White Sox were looking for a replacement for the injured Nick Madrigal, and were engaged in talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The infielder donned the White Sox black and white jersey nearly a decade ago before being shipped off to Minnesota in a trade for Francisco Liriano.
Since leaving the White Sox, he became a thorn in their side with the Minnesota Twins. He left for the desert in 2018 when he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Over his last four seasons there, he owns a slash line of .254/.307/.462. In 2019 he had a career year, leading the NL with 10 triples and hitting a career-high 35 home runs. He also put up a .831 OPS.
However, in the 2020 season, Escobar’s production dropped. It has carried over to this season as he is hitting just .240 with a .288 on-base percentage. He also owns the lowest walk rate of his career. Despite the drop in average, his power numbers are still there. Escobar has 15 home runs this season in 70 games.
The Chicago #WhiteSox, looking for a replacement for 2B Nick Madrigal, are engaged in trade talks with the #Dbacks for Eduardo Escobar, who's being shopped. Escobar, who's earning $7.5M in the final year of his contract, is hitting .240 with 15 homers, 45 RBI with a .743 OPS.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 21, 2021
Another thing to factor in the equation is Escobar’s injuries this season. He left a game on Monday night because of a quad strain. The Diamondbacks have been monitoring the injury but say he is still good enough to play. Do the White Sox risk replacing one injured second baseman another one?
The Diamondbacks are going to be sellers at the deadline. They own a horrendous 23-game losing streak in road games. They have the worst record in baseball and are 26 games out of first place. Escobar is set to hit free agency after the season and is unlikely to resign. The Diamondbacks want to get some assets in return for him. Given that he is in the final year of his deal and the Diamondbacks don’t have a ton of leverage, it should not cost that much for the White Sox to acquire him.
Escobar is not a high-impact player but he would be a nice piece for the White Sox lineup for the rest of the season. Escobar checks all the boxes the White Sox need. He provides outfield depth, second base depth, a left-handed bat, and power. With this in mind, what would it take to pry Escobar from the Diamondbacks?