Report: D-backs, White Sox engaged in trade talks over Eduardo Escobar

Jun 21, 2021, 10:23 AM | Updated: 10:28 am

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar throws to first base to put out Colorado Rockies Garrett Hampson in the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 21, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox are reportedly engaged in trade talks centered around infielder Eduardo Escobar, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

With the White Sox’s Nick Madrigal undergoing season-ending surgery, Chicago is looking to replace their second baseman.

In 70 games this season (295 plate appearances), Escobar is averaging .240 with a .743 OPS. He’s recorded 45 RBIs, 15 home runs and a stolen base.

D-backs skipper Torey Lovullo made the decision to remove Escobar from Sunday night’s loss to the Dodgers for precautionary reasons due to right quad tightness. The infielder is expected to get imaging Monday.

Escobar originally got his MLB start with the White Sox in 2011. He played 45 games with Chicago and averaged .213 with a .558 OPS. He stole two bases and had three RBIs.

Escobar was eventually traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2012 before being dealt to Arizona in 2018.

With Arizona general manager Mike Hazen on a physical leave of absence from the team, the D-backs brought in former Kansas City Royals GM Allard Baird to provide another voice for assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye as the MLB trade deadline nears.

“He has a wealth of experience, former GM. Somebody to handle [things] especially as we move into the draft and deadline time,” Hazen told Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf last Wednesday. “His counsel, his evaluation, his perspective, his ability to help.

“Dealing with other front offices as we go through we’re probably gonna have a volume — the phone has been ringing off the hook as you can imagine inbound right now, just given where we’re standing and where other teams are at. So there’s a volume that has to be dealt with. I’m around to be involved in a lot of discussions at various times.”

Arizona has lost 17 straight games, with its last win coming on June 1.

The D-backs will look to get back in the win column Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station at 6:40 p.m. for all the action.

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Alex Young throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Burns bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during a baseball game, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor bunts for a single in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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