Service	Units
Jordan Haimowi...	+1214.0
Brandon Lee	+865.0
Stephen Nover	+490.0
Mr. East	+419.0
Steve Janus	+293.0
Ben Burns	+278.0
Steve Merril	+277.0
John Ryan	+246.0
Ray Monohan	+200.0
Tom Stryker	+166.0

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Alex Gonzalez: Atlanta Braves Trade Escobar for Gonzalez

Posted by Sean O'Connor

Alex Gonzalez: Atlanta Braves Trade Escobar for Gonzalez

The Toronto Blue Jays gained a really awesome shortstop today in a trade with the Braves. Naturally to get a player the caliber of Yunel Escobar, the Blue Jays had to watch as one of their own walks away. The deal with the Braves and the Blue Jays included a total of five players. The Blue Jays managed to get Escobar and Jo-Jo Ryes in exchange for three players. Left-handed minor-league pitcher Tim Collins and minor-league shortstop Tyler Pastornicky both were moved along with Alex Gonzalez.

Naturally it’s hard to see down the long road to know if these kind of trades benefit one team more than another but the Braves got a 33-year-old player hitting .259 wit 17 home runs. Add to that another 50 RBI’s and this is looking like a nice little deal for the Braves. Most feel the Braves needed to go get some pitching but a hitter who just happens to be tied for fifth in the American League with 43 extra-base its looks like a pretty good option. In that case, Gonzalez looks like an awful good player to add to the roster.

As for the Blue Jays, Escobar is only 27, hitting .238 and has yet to crank one out. Escobar has spent his time in Triple-A Gwinnett and thus far is sporting an ugly 5-15 career record with Atlanta. As for the shortstop headed to Atlanta, the labels “outstanding shortstop” and “very dangerous hitter” both ring loud and clear. With the Braves success in the first half, hearing this news had to add excitement to their already fired up fans. The bottom line for the two teams is that the Braves get experience and maturity but also age in Alex Gonzalez who is 33 and give up potential and youth in Escobar who is only 27.