Washington Nationals infielder Yunel Escobar is reportedly on the trade block as front offices begin preparing their plans for the 2015 winter meetings.
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Nationals Expected To Shop Escobar Next Week
Thursday, Dec. 3
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reported Escobar is one of the players who could be on the move when general managers meet up in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 33-year-old natural shortstop spent all of his time at third base for the Nationals last season. He also put together one of the most complete seasons of his career at the plate with a .314 average, .375 on-base percentage and 35 extra-base hits, including nine home runs.
In turn, the Nationals may view this as a chance to sell high on the veteran.
James Wagner of the Washington Post noted in October there might not be a spot available for Escobar next season. If Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa are both healthy and prospect Trea Turner continues to make progress, the team will become overcrowded on the infield.
So the winter meetings represent an opportunity to move Escobar while he still holds solid value in order to upgrade the roster elsewhere.
Trading for him would come with some risk, though. Before his resurgent 2015 campaign, he posted a batting average below .260 in three straight seasons. He's also struggled in the field as of late, posting a minus-24 Defensive Runs Saved figure at short in 2014 and a minus-11 mark at third last season, per FanGraphs.
Those numbers should temper expectations in terms of what the Nationals could get in return. But, given their limited space on the infield, it sounds like they'll at least listen to offers.
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