EDUARDO ESCOBAR EXITS MINNESOTA FOR ARIZONA
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired infielder Eduardo Escobar from the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Jhoan Duran and outfielders Gabriel Maciel and Ernie De La Trinidad.
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
For Arizona, currently in second place in the National League West division, Escobar is an important addition because of his infield versatility. He will probably play mostly third base while Jake Lamb is on the disabled list, but may also see time at shortstop and second base. He is enjoying a career year in 2018.
What does it give the Minnesota Twins
Duran has plenty of strikeout ability, but remains a very raw pitching prospect. The Twins will likely be very patient with their new 20-year-old addition. Maciel has some upside as a table-setting outfielder, while De La Trinidad looks more like a backup in MLB. With Escobar gone, Miguel Sano returns to the hot corner in Minny.
Fantasy impact
Escobar's fantasy stock is down slightly after this deal, as he will need to learn the National League and also his new environment in Phoenix in a short period of time with the Diamondbacks in a pennant chase. Furthermore, he goes from playing virtually every day (at either shortstop or third base) with Minnesota to a utility infield role once again. Duran and Maciel should now be on the keeper-league radar, while De La Trinidad is more of a fantasy long shot down the road. The big winner after this deal is clearly Sano, who (presumably) regains his role as the Twins' everyday third baseman.
