MARLINS QUICKLY SHIP ESCOBAR TO TAMPA
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Miami Marlins for infielder Derek Dietrich.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
If the Rays can keep Escobar in line, something both the Braves and Blue Jays failed to do previously, they may have found a solution to their shortstop hole. Tampa Bay has Korean shortstop {P=7444 Hak-Ju Lee} waiting in the wings, so Escobar figures to bridge the gap. If anyone can get Escobar to right the ship, it's likely Rays manager Joe Maddon (one of the best in the business). Still, this figures to be Escobar's last chance in Major League Baseball.
What does it give the Miami Marlins
The rebuilding Marlins never had any intention of keeping Escobar, especially since they want fellow Cuban shortstop {P Adeiny Hechavarria} (acquired in the same deal as Escobar with Toronto) to be their shortstop of the present and future. Therefore, they moved him quickly to Tampa Bay for Dietrich, a young middle infielder with a very good bat. The 23-year-old reached Double-A ball in 2012, so he could conceivably earn playing time at second base with the Fish in 2013.
Fantasy impact
Escobar would have played third base had he stayed in Miami, so his fantasy value is higher as a shortstop in the American League with the Rays. That said, he's a very risky proposition for fantasy leaguers heading into 2013. In Tampa Bay, his stolen-base numbers figure to increase at the very least. Dietrich's fantasy impact could be major in a few years, since he boasts good power for a middle infielder. Also, he should get plenty of opportunities in Miami (possibly even right away). This deal boosts his value significantly as a result.
