Lillian

Thanks for your kind and cordial reply. I agree that it's not realistic to try to translate AAA performance, especially at the Knight's stadium, to the Majors, but it's worth noting that Beckham has a decent track record in the "show". Considering that he didn't play last year, I think now that he seems to have found his power stroke again, it's reasonable to hope that he could contribute at a level comparable to his last few seasons in the A.L. That would represent pretty good production, as a replacement for the injured Madrigal, without having to give up prospects. He has historically not been a high OBP guy, but he has put up decent Slugging Percentages.

Yes, and with the crack down on sticky substance coming, it will be equally hard to evaluate the value of any pitcher. Maybe we need to wait until then, to acquire an arm for the pen. However, if there are some guys who don't appear to have been using anything, they might represent good value. Looking at their spin rate history would be a potential way to determine that.

Unless, and until Hahn makes a trade, here is what I'd like to see, versus RHP: SS Anderson 3B Moncada 1B Abreu C Grandal DH Lamb 2B T. Beckham RF Goodwin LF Vaughn CF Engel One note of caution, although Beckham has been hitting RHP fairly well, of the 5 homers, in the last 3 games, only one came off a RH pitcher. However, he has hit 5 of his season's total 9 homers off of RH pitching, so that is encouraging. He has 8 this month, in just 12 games, which is a really torrid pace. If he stays hot, he will almost certainly get called up, which would trigger his MLB salary. He could add some punch to the lineup, while playing acceptable defense at second base. If you don't care about "handedness," he's an obvious quick, in house option.

Let's talk more about Tim Beckham, as Madrigal's replacement. He is tearing the cover off the ball, at AAA and has the Major League resume, to suggest that he could certainly equal Mendick's production, with much more upside. After all, this was the #1 pick, in the 2008 Draft and he has performed reasonably well at the Major League level, at times. Of course, he has never lived up to the lofty expectations, but at 31, he is still a pretty decent player. He's hitting RH pitching about as well as he is lefties, so that is in his favor. If you put him at second base and then find a LH power bat to DH, or play a corner outfield, the lineup would be in pretty good shape. I wouldn't even mind just giving the DH at bats, vs RHP to Lamb. That would only leave the acquisition of another bullpen arm, as the lone trade deadline target.

Tim Beckham just hit his 5TH homer, in the last 3 games. Maybe they'll just bring him up to play 2ND, and look for a LH bat for the outfield.

Ok, so keeping in mind that the objective is to get some LH power inserted into the middle of the lineup. would you then flip Escobar and Gandal, vs. RH pitching?

Since this thread is a discussion about Escobar, it might be interesting to flesh out the details of how it could look. If Eloy and Robert are both back in time for the Post Season, here are potential lineups, with Escobar. Having 3 switch hitters staggered throughout the middle of the order would be a nice advantage, in late inning match ups, when the opposing manager has to go to the pen: VERSUS RHP: SS Anderson RH 3B Moncada SH 1B Abreu RH 2B Escobar SH DH Eloy RH C Grandal SH CF Robert RH LF Lamb LH RF Goodwin or Eaton LH VERSUS LHP: SS Anderson RH 3B Moncada SH 1B Abreu RH DH Eloy RH C Grandal SH CF Robert RH 2B Escobar SH LF Vaughn RH RF Engel RH

Sheets would be worth a little exposure to the Majors, but what do you see in Rutherford's performance, that suggests to you that he might be ready for a call up?

I think that the oft used process of evaluating two players, especially by WAR, is flawed, when trying to gauge the overall impact on the team. In this particular case, can you really determine the impact of replacing Mendick with Escobar, strictly on the basis of the difference in their anticipated WAR? The Sox lack power, particularly from the left side. Escobar would address that need, while Mendick does not. It's a team problem and while the difference in WAR is important, it doesn't address the overall value of having a more balanced lineup. For example, one can debate the issue of providing "protection" for teammates in the batting order, and you can argue how important it is to avoid letting the opposing pitcher get too comfortable facing consecutive hitters, from the same side. However, those kinds of issues are not considered in the WAR equation. In other words, it may indeed not be worth giving up prospects, just to add .5 in WAR, but being able to construct a lineup, which has a better chance against a particular pitcher, on a particular day might make a significant difference. Let's say that you're facing a tough RH pitcher, who has dramatically favorable splits against RH hitters. On that day, being able to insert a potent, run producing LH bat into the lineup, could certainly be a critical advantage and one which mere WAR does not take into account.

Yes, and he provides very little power.

I agree, 100%. Moreover, La Russa was brought in to take this team to the World Series. I'm sure that Tony will be lobbying hard for whatever additions, he feels they need.

Could simply be posturing, in order not to lose too much leverage in bargaining. It also shows confidence in the guys on the roster. There is no point letting the other GM's know that you're desperate for reinforcements, not that it's any secret.

Yes, it is important to me and to most people in the sport. It's the rationale behind platooning, switch hitting, pinch hitting, lineup construction and more.

I don't understand. Would you please clarify that, or were you joking?

This thread is about acquiring Escobar, not about "replacing Madrigal". The rumoured Sox interest in Escobar doesn't emanate from a perceived hole at the keystone position. Mendick would be fine, if this team didn't have such a dearth of LH power. Remember, even if the Sox got both Eloy and Robert back, they still would not have a single really big LH power bat. Moncada has not proven to be a big home run threat and Grandal is,....well Grandal. He's a very good OBP hitter, with decent power, but he's not suited to be a #3, or clean up hitter. If one wants to talk about acquiring someone other than Escobar, please try to limit your suggestions to a LH power hitter. You may disagree, but you can be sure that management is more interested in fixing this roster imbalance, than they are in finding someone to simply play second base. Even if they weren't satisfied with Mendick, they have other internal options. There is Leury, Tim Beckham and even Marco Hernandez. The problem is that none of those guys provide that much needed LH power.

Remember not to minimize the La Russa connection with the DBacks, even with Mike Hazen's "physical departure," due to his wife's health issues.

I'd love to spend Jerry Reinsdorf's money, but I can't imagine him taking on that contract. Moreover, I really wonder if the Phillies are ready to tear it down and start a rebuild. Their fans might revolt.

I have no objection to your suggestion. If you can suggest a LH power bat, to play a corner outfield position, who could be acquired, without giving up too much, it should be considered. Whom would you recommend?

No, I'm not suggesting that he represents a key offensive component, but with guys like Vaughn and Lamb getting playing time in the outfield, he would be a valuable late inning defensive replacement, as well as a pinch runner.

I can't disagree about Eaton. However, if they can acquire Escobar, they should be able to fill the outfield with a combination of Engel, Goodwin, Vaughn, Garcia and Lamb. They'll also have Hamilton back, before too long. With Eloy's bat added, sometime around the beginning of August, the lineup would be ok, without needing to add another outfielder.

Thanks for the link. Interesting that the White Sox were not mentioned. Why would the Marlins have an interest in a rental? They're in last place and aren't going to be in contention, this year.

If Hahn acquires Escobar, he won't be "spot starting, off of the bench". He, and his 15 home runs, will be in the lineup, daily. Without Eloy and Robert, this team is severely challenged, in the power department. Moncada has not provided the power, that most everyone anticipated. I think most expected him to hit 25 to 30 homers. There are too many guys in the lineup who just don't profile as run producers. Mendick is fine, and if everyone else were healthy and producing, he would be a more than adequate temporary replacement for Madrigal. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Escobar would provide a much needed boost to this "power outage". The various parts and pieces of the lineup are fungible. Normally, second base is not where one looks for power and run production. However, with our weak hitting current outfield, and an opening at the keystone spot, Escobar could be a big addition and he's a switch hitter. As has been pointed out, by several posters, including myself. he shouldn't cost that much, being a rental. I almost wish that he were making more money, which would help motivate the DBacks to unload his contract. The remainder of his $7.5 million is not much of an issue. Nevertheless, I don't think that it will take top prospects, to acquire him.

I would have preferred that they had one more LH bat, to face Glasnow's nasty slider. Lamb at 3RD and Leury at 2B, instead of Mendick would have been my call, but then, I'm not in the HOF.

He leads the Southern League in homers, with 10 in just 100 at bats. He's also 8 for 9 in stolen bases. Where did this guy come from? He wasn't a collegiate star at Miami and has not been a ranked prospect, but he is putting up some very impressive stats, for a middle infielder. Birmingham is a tough place, in which to hit, which makes it even more impressive.

Time to bump this thread. The young man is finally healthy and hitting for big power. My guess is that he beats out Yoelkis Cespedes, for the future spot in RF.