Kansas City Royals made a pair of trades including one involving Alcides Escobar
The Royals announced a pair of trades Saturday involving infielders who are not on the team’s 40-man roster.
Kelvin Gutierrez, who had been designated for assignment on July 28 when the Royals promoted Emmanuel Rivera from Triple-A Omaha, is headed to the Baltimore Orioles. The Royals said they will be getting “cash considerations” in return.
Gutierrez made 34 starts at third base this season and batted .215 with a home run, four doubles eight RBIs in 38 total games.
The Royals acquired Gutierrez, 28, in 2018 after sending relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera to the Nationals.
Another deal with Washington was announced during Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Shortstop Alcides Escobar, who was at Omaha, was traded to the Nationals, also for “cash considerations.”
The Nationals recently placed infielder Jordy Mercer on the 10-day injured list and shortstop Trey Turner was dealing with a swollen finger but is not on the IL.
After the trade was announced, the Nationals added Escobar to their 40-man roster and promoted him to the active roster. He was scheduled to start at shortstop in Saturday’s game against the Dodgers and bat seventh.
Escobar hasn’t appeared in a major-league game since Sept. 30, 2018 with the Royals.
To make room for Escobar, Humberto Arteaga, another former Royals player, was designated for assignment.
In 35 games with the Storm Chasers, Escobar batted .274 with five home runs and 16 RBIs.
Escobar, the 2015 ALCS MVP, signed a minor-league deal with the Royals in May. He played eight seasons with the Royals (2011-18) and was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2015. He batted leadoff for the World Series championship team that year.
If he remains in the majors leagues for 90 days, he will reach 10 years of service time.
This story was originally published July 3, 2021 at 3:55 PM.
