RADIO
Only five days ago, Yunel Escobar was traded from the Rays to the Athletics along with Ben Zobrist. Now, Escobar is on the move again, this time to Washington, after Oakland general manager Billy Beane’s latest dealing.
In a straight-up swap, the A’s have dealt Escobar to the Nationals for former All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard, who will instantly assume a late-inning bullpen role similar to the one he held during the majority of his seven years as a member of the Nats. While he's getting up there in age, Clippard is actually coming off one of his finest seasons to date, when he posted an outstanding 2.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go along with 82 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings pitched. Clearly, this is someone who is still a very valuable reliever, and actually might have a shot at closing in addition.
Escobar, meanwhile, finds himself on his third team in week, but it’s also one that might prove to be the most beneficial for the 32-year-old shortstop. Despite the presence of Ian Desmond at short, the early indications are that Escobar will take over as the team’s everyday second baseman, supplanting the declining Danny Espinosa, and that could be a positive switch for Escobar, considering he’s coming off a campaign that saw him make 16 errors while registering the lowest fielding percentage, .965, of his eight-year career. He also provides Washington with a steady bat at the bottom of their batting order.
Both players plug a need for their new team, making this a fine trade for each side.
