Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
The New York Mets have traded veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar to the Los Angeles Angels, the team announced Friday. In return, the Mets are receiving minor league right-hand pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux.
Mets GM Billy Eppler on the deal, “The Angels had a need, and we had a little bit of a surplus. It’s a testament to Steve and his commitment to the blueprint here. …. We’re not getting these players if Steve is not covering the money.”
Escobar, beloved in the clubhouse, struggled when given the starting third base job out of the gates this season. He eventually lost it to Brett Baty, but he has been a productive bench piece for the Mets since he was moved to a part-time role. Since Baty was called up, Escobar was hitting .323/.373/.548 with three home runs, two triples and a double in 67 plate appearances. He only played 26 of a possible 57 games in that span.
Crow is the No. 19 prospect in the Angels system on MLB Pipeline and No. 8 on Fangraphs. He has a 1.88 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in Double-A in four starts this season, but has been on the injured list since mid-May with elbow inflammation. He has 31 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings. Last year, Crow posted a 4.85 ERA over 128 innings with 128 strikeouts and 35 walks, all at Double-A.
Crow was drafted in 2019, while Billy Eppler was the general manager of the Angels.
Marceaux is the No. 20 prospect on the Angles system on MLB Pipeline and No. 25 on Fangraphs. He has a 4.88 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in Double-A in 12 starts this season. Last year he had a 2.98 ERA over 90 2/3 innings, almost entirely at High-A.
The Mets will be paying all of Escobar’s salary (minus prorated league minimum) this season, Andy Martino of SNY reported.
