I'm still high on Escobar, and any team that can get him. He's got an incredibly team friendly contract, he was a top 3 AL shortstop with the Jays besides last season. Funny enough from what I read on the Toronto Star, AA spoke incredibly high on him. Saying he was the type of guy that stays late every day and will talk baseball for hours on end. I think some Latin players get unfair reputations due to the differences in personalities and cultures.
Right now his value is incredibly low however. Weak season and the whole debacle at the end of the year. I followed him a lot as a Brave and always liked him. As far as I can count, he's really had no problems as a Blue Jay besides the eye paint. Doubt he gets traded.
Here are my thoughts on the free agent pitchers this offseason:
Lot of risk in this free agency pool and a lot of over payment to come. I really hope Brandon McCarthy gets healthy, he deserves a huge pay day. The injury might be the only way he ends up back in Oakland. He was the #1 pitching free agent IMO, maybe only behind Greinke.
Pitchers-
Edwin Jacokson- Very reliable numbers. Likely to cash in on that. I would be happy if I was a fan of a team that signed him, likely to over pay however.
Shaun Marcum- I'd have to think he ends up a BlueJay. Won't demand a lot of money, built in relationship and won't cost much money.
Greinke- Deserves all the money he's going to get. Media will hand out dumb narratives if he goes to a big market. I could see him ending up a Dodger.
Kyle Lohse- Avoid at all costs. Brutal strikeout rate. Old and will be looking for multiple years.
Ryan Dempster- I think he's worth it if you're a team with pitching depth and wanting to contend next season. Very reliable. Best suited to stay in the NL. I think he knows that. LA really wanted him before (Note: Dodgers likely to be in on pretty much everyone.
Anibal Sanchez- I don't think he's suited for the AL, but even at 29, I think his best years are ahead of him. He's durable, strong health and strikes a lot of batters out.
Jake Peavey- If he didn't have any injuries in his past, he'd garner the biggest pay day of any player this offseason. He's still got a lot of good years ahead of him, he was one of the best pitchers in the AL this season.
Hiroki Kuroda- Likely to re-sign with Yankees. 1 year 10 million plus
Dan Haren- Had back problems to end the season. Looked like the elite pitcher Dan Haren has been, for the first half of the year. Angels are not going to bring back.
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