DENVER — As the Los Angeles Angels arrived in the Mile High City to begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, the Angels announced a trade with the New York Mets for Eduardo Escobar.
With Gio Urshela done for the season and Anthony Rendon on the injured list with a left wrist contusion, the Angels landed Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar in a trade that sent minor league right-handers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux to Queens.
In the midst of another disappointing season in New York, the 34-year-old Escobar will look to improve on his .236/.286/.409 slash line he had logged in 120 plate appearances this season. Signed to a two-year, $20 million deal before last season, Escobar totaled a .240/.293/.426 slash line in 662 plate appearances.
Crow is pitching at Double-A currently with a 1.88 ERA in 24.0 innings (four starts). He has surrendered just nine hits while striking out 31 and walking just six. Marceaux is also a starter at Double-A, putting up a 4.88 ERA over 59.0 innings (12 starts).
Grading the Angels-Mets trade involving Eduardo Escobar
Mets grade: A
New York was able to shed Escobar and open up third base for Brett Baty to assume the role on a full-time basis. While the Mets might lose a little depth around the infield, Escobar simply wasn't working out in New York and cutting ties with him will be a plus for all parties involved.
Additionally, New York gets two starters from the Double-A level who could provide pitching depth in the future. It's always hard to project prospects, but Marceaux was ranked as the 20th-best prospect in the Angels farm system while Crow was right above him at number 19. Landing a pair of top 20 prospects and opening up a spot for a young player to shine makes this a win for the Mets.
Angels grade: B
Perhaps it would be better to grade this trade as an incomplete because it all hinges on whether Escobar can rediscover his hitting stroke in Anaheim. The Angels needed to make this deal because of injuries, but now it's up to Escobar to come in and help Los Angeles keep the early momentum going through the end of July.
Angels fans hope this deal will send Luis Rengifo to the bench as the 26-year-old infielder has been filling in at third but slashing just .180/.241/.320 over his past 15 games (50 at-bats). If Escobar can be an improvement over Rengifo, this will mark a good move for Los Angeles.