The first significant trade of the season’s second half went down today. The Atlanta Braves sent beleaguered shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
The Braves also received left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes while the Blue Jays received two minor leaguers, shortstop Tyler Pastornicky and pitcher Tim Collins.
The trade spells the end of what was supposed to be a promising career for Escobar in Atlanta. Instead, the Braves used their homegrown product to land a veteran shortstop who is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. It was a significant upgrade for the Braves while the Blue Jays are left with what amounts to a reclamation project in a new organization and new city (and country).