6:20pm: Escobar, notably, is out of tonight’s lineup for the D-backs, though Lovullo called the injury a “slight” quadriceps strain and said Escobar is available off the bench (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan).
12:13pm: The White Sox and Diamondbacks have held discussions about a trade that would send infielder Eduardo Escobar to the Windy City, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter link). It isn’t known if the two sides are deep in talks, or if this is exploratory on Chicago’s part as the Sox continue to look for second base help.
One immediate wrinkle is Escobar’s injury status, as he left yesterday’s game after four innings due to tightness in right quad, D’Backs manager Torey Lovullo told The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro and other reporters. Escobar was scheduled to undergo tests today, and Lovullo noted that the removal was “precautionary” in nature.
Assuming Escobar is healthy, he is a natural trade chip. The D’Backs have the worst record in baseball and are mired in an unfathomable 17-game losing streak, so their focus has already moved to selling at the trade deadline. Escobar is in the final season of a three-year, $21MM contract that pays him $7.5MM in 2021 (roughly $4.12MM is still owed for the remainder of the season).
The White Sox, meanwhile, suffered a big loss at second base when Nick Madrigal underwent season-ending hamstring surgery last week. Danny Mendick has been filling in at the keystone since Madrigal was sidelined and utilityman Leury Garcia is also on hand, but installing a veteran like Escobar would more fully stabilize the position (especially since the Sox are also still dealing with multiple injury absences in the outfield). Escobar has been more regularly used as a third baseman in Arizona, but he has logged plenty of time at second base over the years, including 30 games at the position this season alone.
A trade would represent something of a homecoming for the 32-year-old Escobar, who originally signed with the White Sox as an amateur free agent back in 2006 and then played his first 45 big league games in a Sox uniform. Chicago dealt Escobar to the Twins as part of a deadline deal for Francisco Liriano in 2012, and Escobar was then a thorn in the side of his old team for years as he developed into a regular in Minnesota’s lineup.
After a rough 2020 season, Escobar has bounced back to be an exactly league-average hitter (100 wRC+, 100 OPS+) over 295 plate appearances this season, hitting .240/.288/.455 with 15 homers. The power numbers have helped boost his overall production, as Escobar’s 6.4% walk rate is his lowest since 2016 and he isn’t making much hard contact. The switch-hitter’s numbers against left-handed pitching have still been solid, but his production against right-handers has tailed off over the last two years.
YES YES YES
all the feels. they have always loved that guy! Make it happen!!!
Except when he was with the Twins
Please never type “all the feels” again in your life.
All the feels.
White sox are the real deal and here to stay at top of not just central but AL for years to come. Any additions they make should be rentals like Escobar. Keep all your young pieces til you know what you have. Rarely should a franchise ever do that but WS are so deep they have the luxury too
If they are “so deep” then why would they need him??
Injuries smart one
If the Sox win this year which I doubt very much they will there not going to be a dynasty
Wow, that makes perfect sense…lol
Well to make a dynasty you got to win the World Series at least once and then continue to win multiple times the Sox haven’t won for a long time does that make sense to you or no
They are on OF 6, 7, and 8, amd 2B 3. They had a game with the OF having less than 50 MLB games in the OF combined. They have been absolutely decimated by injuries and they continue find ways to win (except against the Astros apparently)
The White Sox will lose a World Series to the Braves and then they will win one against the Padres.
Ok, if we lose this year to the Braves and win to the Padres next year, I’m fine with that.
Braves? The sub-.500 Braves?
The Braves have won three consecutive division titles. They have hung around despite a ton of injuries and there’s no reason to think they won’t contend next year even if this becomes a lost season.
As a fan, you should never be fine with losing.
I think his point is that going 1-1 in World Series appearances is better than not winning at all. Atlanta lost four World Series in the ‘90s but 1-4 in World Series appearances is still better than 0-0 because 1-4 at least gets you a trophy.
My point involved THIS season. And teams improve. Dodgers and Padres have passed the Braves for now.
Moves can be made at the deadline and injured players can return. Atlanta is not done…and the postseason is a roll of the dice. Look at the 2004-2006 Cardinals for example…
2004 Cardinals: 105 wins, lost World Series
2005 Cardinals: 100 wins, lost NLCS
2006 Cardinals: 83 wins, won World Series
The postseason is about getting hot at the right time.
Yes that is exactly what I meant
I can’t confirm the exact years but the next four World Series appearances for the White Sox will go like this (in this order)…
Loss to Braves
Victory over Padres
Loss to Cardinals
Victory over Marlins
False! The Braves or Padres will not make it to the WS.
Simply put, the CWS are not as good as their record makes you believe, and, are not as “deep” where it counts for a post season run – although once you’re in the postseason, anything could happen.
As of today the CWS have a losing record against teams over .500 at 17-23
Worse yet, they have win totals inflated by the abysmal AL central, and, even the relatively weak for a contender CLE club has, thus far, bested the CWS barely as they’re 5-6 in head to head play so far.
Talk of winning a world series is at best a wee bit premature. As much as this club has had injury issues, so have many of the other contenders.
As of right now I’d probably rank the CWS as a toss-up somewhere around 6-8th best in the AL in a pick-em tie between CWS/TOR/CLE, but behind HOU/OAK/NYY/BOS/TB in terms of raw talent and depth.
Like I said, anything can happen in a short series to get you to the championship game, but….
This also don’t have two star players out for the entire season in Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. They may not be the best team at this moment, but a healthy White Sox roster is arguably the best/deepest in the game.
“Best”? Maybe. I’d disagree, but that’s up for debate.
“Deepest”? No. If it were a “deep” roster, you wouldn’t be playing guys well out of position and you wouldn’t need the “injuries” argument to justify when they aren’t doing as well.
“Deep” teams aren’t relying on Billy Hamilton or Brian Goodwin as key starters in the middle of June.
The Whitesox have their whole starting outfield out injured right now with Eaton on the IL and Eloy and Robert gone for a while. And now they lost their starting second basemen for the year. You can have a deep team but if 4 of your starting 9 are injured, three of them for the majority or all of the season, that can mess up any teams depth.
Right, like the Braves..You take out a team’s ace, their best bullpen arm, another promising up and coming starting pitcher, and their #3 and #4 hitters for the majority of the game’s played, and ANY TEAM would be hard pressed to remaining a contender..
That’s not even counting multiple games missed by Fried, Acuña Jr., Pache, etc.
twitter.com/ManGamesLostMLB/status/140528696399794…
Braves basically are on the low end of injury loss — the entire league is hurt and braves rank like 3rd in their division in total war and/or games lost to injury for their team … In other words, weak argument
That’s an idiotic argument. Deep teams have professional veterans playing behind the stars.
Go for it, like now. Mercedes has disappeared and is unlikely to return as it looks like the league has figured him out. Definitely need another substantial bat.
La Russa killed his confidence. Out of touch old man.
Mercedez that mentally weak?
Yeah , let’s blame the manager
Especially the one that has them in first place with the second best record in the AL.
Grandpa Tony was that mean? Mercedes numbers in the minors says he will also figure out how they are figuring out him. He will be fine after his nap.
Or, hear me out, a big ol boy like Yermin Mercedes hitting a .446 BABIP in April was never going to sustain itself, and his luck ran out?
I don’t think there’s much he’ll do to “figure it out” unless he makes adjustments he failed to make for nearly two months now.
The Yermin hype was fun while it lasted, I guess.
That’s not why he doesn’t hit anymore. The league has a book on him.
Mercedes is regressing to a reasonable norm for a player with his Minors track record
How?
Didn’t he start his career in the Southside?
Fairly sure that he did, yes
Yes as the article states
Please comments only, no reading.
Didn’t exactly need Columbo to solve that mystery.
Yep——smart enough to remember a flash almost a decade ago, yet not smart enough to read three and a half inches down a computer screen.
Sounds like a good time to check in with Cherington on Adam Frazier
Sure, but since he is having a solid offensive season so far, and plays terrific defense with a couple years of control remaining, Frazier will cost good young talent while a guy like Escobar likely won’t.
Frazier’s value has increased some, but likely not much from where it started at the begining of the season. He’s still a 100-110 wRC+ kind of hitter. Plus he hasn’t been all that good defensively at 2B this year, but again, idk how much teams are weighing numbers from this season so far and how that impacts his value.
The biggest question mark behind Frazier will be that BABIP. .360 is nearly 50 points higher than his career numbers, and many of his x-stats are showing that, peripherally, he’s probably not as good as his numbers are revealing.
So will teams pay the hefty price knowing they risk regression? How soon will that regression happen? These will likely be questions asked in a front office.
I still think someone is desperate enough to overpay for him, but I’m not convinced teams will see Frazier the way that media folks keep propping him up.
(The same goes for Richard Rodriguez, FWIW)
The only way the Pirates may be able to get more than what Frazier is worth is a team banking on that his hot bat will at least be sustainable for the rest of the season. Other than that, he may bring back a 45-FV prospect at the most, or two 40-FV prospects.
Adam Frazier is the perfect “quantity over quality” type acquisition. A team gives up 3-4 40 FV guys for a shot at someone like him, they don’t miss him, and the team like the Pirates gets more players to develop and give a shot.
I think the Pirates can get a decent return for Frazier, but I think it’ll be more “meh” prospects than it will be one really good one.
People always say this, but nobody trades great prospects for players like this anymore because they know it’s not worth it. Or at least the smart teams don’t.
Think you’re right about that. They want to unload the 4 million remaining. The trade would be more of a salary dump. I’d rather see Asdrubal get sent over. He’s cheaper but would probably fetch more of a player in return where Escobar would be traded for a player to be named later that would be sent at end of season then quite possibly released. The first rumor was Castro who makes the same 7 million per season from the nationals. I guess the nationals are waiting another month before they start moving players.
I hope this leak was a ploy to soften up the market on some other options, that I think may be better.
He would help, certainly. Hope they might be able to pull Peralta in the same deal. He isn’t great either… DBacks might be happy to dump his salary as well. Neither is a fantastic addition, but getting both would be much better than nothing. Hope Escobar is healthy, the last thing they need is another guy with a leg issue!
Only for more bodies back…The Freight Traim is still loved in the desert but our FO is all analytics so you all know how those types love prospects
Another reason to take a player out of a game is a deal is pending
For his career, he has an average bat (97 OPS+) and that’s true this year (100 OPS+). Average glove, too (-0.2dWAR for career, 0.2 this year). He’d be cheap, but that’s about the only thing in favor of this deal. I’d rather the Sox pursue an impact bat. 1.3bWAR vs Mendick’s 0.5 in about half the time, so 0.3 difference or so if Mendick had played the full year. If the change isn’t going to make a big impact, just leave the prospects. We all know what happened the last time the Sox traded a lottery ticket.
@hyrax I doubt they will pull anybody great in a trade, the “difference maker” that you and I hope for. However, if they manage to address multiple needs… RF/2b/reliever, the combined impact of multiple players might make a difference. Plus Eloy/Robert. It’s doubtful and probably not realistic to think they are going to make a great trade that impresses with shock and awe, but if they go the route of only dealing lower tier prospects, and still manage to address multiple needs, it might still be a significant improvement over what they have now.
The thing is he’s been a much better hitter in recent years than he was in his earlier MIN years, and great defender it not, he can at least provide competent work at several positions.
@ dark. I agree, people seem to miss the positives. He has 15 homers and 45 rbi’s which would be first and 2nd on the Sox. Plus 35 homers/118 rbi’s in 2019. That’s a heck of a lot better than their options right now. I refuse to believe his fielding is enough of a detriment that he would not be a significant upgrade. Probably why they are talking about getting him. If he isn’t hurt now.
They need more help scoring runs than preventing them, he certain would help in that regard.
While Sox need a 2nd baseman that hits right handed pitching. They murder lefties. Their real key is to get Robert and Eloy healthy for playoffs.
I’d predict something like Jared Kelley and Benymain Bailey for Eduardo Escobar. It’s a steep price for the White Sox, but that’s what you get when your farm system is as bad as theirs.
Hahahahaha!
You’re right, this is probably a laughable return for the Diamondbacks…
I hope not, Jared Kelley had talent through the roof for less than a half year of Escobar.
Frazier *might* net that package, not a rental of Escobar
You are out of your mind. Nowhere near that costly for a 2 month rental.
You’re out of your mind. The best the White Sox can do, at this point, is probably an expensive rental… their farm system, after the MLB guys graduate, is THAT bad.
Lmao no chance in hell it takes that much to get Eduardo Escobar.
I feel like trading for Escobar would mostly be just for the sake of doing something rather than really making much of an upgrade to the team. And showing that you are doing something has some value in and of itself. I’d rather they tried for someone who would make more of an impact, especially against RHP. If the cost a more impactful player is too high prospect-wise, and getting Escobar would cost very little, the move would be fine. But this should not be Plan A.
What prospects would the White Sox be able to move to land an “impact bat”? Their top 4 guys are all on the MLB roster or hurt (and on the MLB roster when not hurt)… and after that, it’s a bunch of 40-45 FV guys, which isn’t getting you an “impact bat”.
If they can land Escobar, I think it might be the best they can do without subtracting from the MLB roster.
I agree. They have no top 100 prospects, and it would take at least one in the 50 – 60 range to even start the conversation for Adam Frazier, IMHO.
I don’t think Adam Frazier is going to command a return including guys the caliber of Jasson Dominguez, Jeter Downs, Hunter Greene, Heliot Ramos, Jarren Duran, Matthew Liberatore, etc. Those are 50 FV guys. Frazier is having a good year, but he is not that good.
I’m not necessarily saying that the White Sox have the prospect depth to get Frazier, but I think you are significantly overvaluing him.
Yeah, zero GMs who are worth their salt are giving up a top 100 prospect for Adam Frazier.
I probably shouldn’t have used the word “impact” (though I never said “impact bat”, just more of an impact than Escobar). I don’t think they can get a stud hitter, but I think they can do better than Escobar.
So, who’s out there that is a) available, b) better than Escobar and c) can be had with the White Sox lousy farm system?
No one. Teams aren’t in the habit of trading impact bats. Nor are they sitting around trying to figure out a plan to help the White Sox. If they want someone like Escobar or Frazier, they’ll have to beat other teams’ offers. Gotta give to get.
Frankly, I’m not convinced the White Sox can beat any contender’s offer until they start naming guys like Kelley or some MLB player.
It depends on how many teams will be seeking an infield bat. Escobar’s value is that he can play both 2B and 3B. I’m not suggesting he’s great, but he’s more than just a role player. He’s capable of carrying a team for a stretch and perhaps drive in some runs at times when the main guys are slumping.
Looking at possible destinations, Houston has a need due to Bregman’s injury. The Giants, too, depending on Longoria’s progress. Oakland (2B) and Milwaukee (3B) could also use an infield bat. Others would be fringe playoff contenders like Washington, Miami and Seattle, though there’s a strong chance those teams wind up being sellers.
do people forget what this guy did in 2019?
Funny how some Front Office types are decisive when necessary and others, like the John Mozeliak/Cardinals, wait for a unicorn to show up at their door with a gift trade offer (which, of course, never happens). Mr. BowTie needs to pull his thumb out of his *** and fix our roster. But he’s probably on a world cruise as usual.
does anyone in STL have patience?
Wait…. there is a guy out there who once played for Jerry and Kenny… they must go out and bring him back.
Is it still ‘getting the band back together’, when the guy played a set with you 10 years ago, cause the regular bassist had the flu???
Maybe they pulled him in the 4th to make sure he didn’t get injured, pre-trade?
If we are talking to Diamondbacks, they should see what ask is for Ketel Marte. No doubt it will be steep. Given his ability, versatility and contract, he’d be as high of impact player as we could imagine. Vaughn, Kelley and…..
I know it’s highly unlikely and that D-backs would want a haul, but it’d be worth the ask!
Escobar and merril Kelley for forest whitely and one other prospect
Zac gallen and marte both would bring back hauls.
Yeah, I think it’s safe to say that the White Sox can’t acquire Ketel Marte for anything short of stripping from the MLB roster, which would defeat the purpose….
I would trade Vaughn and Kelly for Marte, but no more than that.
Like, whatever man.
By all accounts Escobar is a fantastic team mate who is loved greatly by the other players because of his charisma and light hearted nature. That aside, he brings on field value as well.
In regard to Escobar’s defense, he’s been employed almost exclusively at 3B for a number of years where’s he’s been roughly average for the most part. It’s reasonable to believe Escobar could manage the 2B and SS positions adequately as he’s quick enough and has a strong arm, but I can’t see him as a glove first type of player.
When it comes to his bat, Escobar is pretty streaky, but he’s been better than average over recent “full” seasons. 2020 really makes a mess of things when trying to figure out whether or not a player is in decline because of the small sample sizes. Escobar started off this season pretty slow, but since mid May (5/16), he’s been hitting well.
I see some comments lamenting he’s only “average” in defense and offense. Well, he’s on pace for about 3.o WAR this season, which is pretty consistent and average for a starting third baseman and well above average for a second baseman. Escobar is not a dumpster dive, he’s a legitimate starting infielder for a good team who brings a great clubhouse presence and he does it pretty cheaply.
Streaky is fine. He can be a run-producing asset at times when the main guys are scuffling. Escobar doesn’t have to be the star; just pick up his teammates when they don’t come through. His history otherwise indicates that he’s capable of being the man for an extended stretch.
You raise an excellent point about his being a good teammate. The fact that he can fill in at different positions is an example of that. It may not affect his personal WAR but can help the productivity of teammates by giving them a needed rest. That has a heckuva lot of value in these modern times with short benches. And yes, having guys who can lighten the mood is helpful in the dog days of a pennant race.
Indians will counter and acquire Max Scherzer
Fogo Power! Eduardo will return to home of his favorite Brazilian steak house Fogo de Chao! A trade to Chicago meets the Fogo location test
No on Jared Kelley ! Escobar class act and good in clubhouse. Reynaldo Lopez or Zach Burdi or stay with Mendick and GARCIA !
Friggin A’s should’ve been in on this!!!
With Bregman now hurt, either the Astros or A’s acquiring Escobar could have an impact on that race.
17 game losing streak
Jeez
They’re 10 games behind the Rockies! As bad as they are now, their roster will be worse after the July deadline.
No way. It’s nightingale.
Check out the D-backs team dances led by Escobar after wins. Admittedly, they may be hard to find given the last 45 games…
That explains everything. They hate dancing.
If that’s the case, Eduardo Escobar would be a natural fit on the White Sox along with Yoan Moncada. “Dancing with the Sox”! lol
There is no doubt that Eduardo Escobar would be an upgrade at 2B over Danny Mendick and Leury Garcia for 2021. He would also supply some insurance at 3B should Yoan Moncada make his annual appearance on the IL this season, to say nothing of an injury prone Tim Anderson at SS. That said, I would rather the White Sox make a run at Pirates 2B/OF Adam Frazier first before pulling the trigger on Escobar.
Frazier will cost more with his extra year of arbitration control but would be a better lineup and defensive replacement for Nick Madrigal this season. Frazier offers a similar offensive skill set to Madrigal with his high contact bat and has also been a regular at 2B this season whereas Escober has primarily played 3B. With Frazier, the White Sox would also have an insurance policy for Madrigal at 2B for next season in addition to adding a versatile player capable of playing both outfield corners which certainly would have come in handy this season with all the injuries the team has suffered on the grass. He would be a considerable upgrade at 2B in 2021 while also offering the White Sox another Madrigal like bat to their 2022 batting order in a potential super utility role.
Bottom line: If the price is right, why not add both Frazier and Escobar for the stretch run? Manager Tony La Russa, like most of his peers relish versatile players. Adding both would immediately solve their 2B problem to say nothing of a potential corner OF option until their starting outfielders return. With their issues at DH because of a struggling Yermin Mercedes, the White Sox could easily assign that role to Andrew Vaughn until Eloy Jimenez returns and then flip a coin between those two down the stretch. Jose Abreu has also struggled with the bat this month so perhaps Vaughn could see more action at 1B with Abreu clearing his head and resting his 34-year old body with some added DH appearances. Clearly Vaughn is the White Sox future first baseman and better suited physically to play there over LF. I’d rather see Vaughn and Abreu splitting time at 1B/DH while Mercedes figures things out at AAA Charlotte for a while.
Maybe this is a little strategy by Hahn since Frazier will be in same ballpark as White Sox tomorrow (makes things quick & easy). I prefer Frazier over Escobar cause he can fill defensive needs at 2b & LF this year and next. However Escobar would cost less trade wise since he’s older & in walk year and he has bit more thump. So I guess one or the other would be nice depending on the price! I’d trade Madrigal & pitching prospect for maybe Frazier and a pirates pen guy.
The Sox should be looking at players that other teams are looking to dump for salary relief, that saves you prospect capital. There are going to be more players hitting the trade block in the coming weeks. No need to panic and overpay.
Sox should have the financial flexibility to pull it off.
@Sliderdownandin
Exactly.
Slider, the W Sox are always looking for cheap players other teams are dropping.
Baez for Jimenez
I don’t care who the Sox at 2B as long as (1) he is an upgrade to Mendick (pretty easy there) and (2) no one from the core gets moved (i.e. Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet, Madrigal, etc). I don’t think I’d part with Kelley either, depending on who else would be in the deal. That certainly limits what they can do, but it would be idiotic to part with a key piece of the future for a mere rental that probably wouldn’t move the needle much. I’d rather just take my chances with Mendick at 2B.
As for the state of their farm system, it’s not so much it’s bad, it’s just a few years away from anyone being meaningful. The problem is they have little to offer that can help the other team right away in a trade. So if you equate that to a bad farm system, then fine. The current state of their farm system is expected with them out of rebuild mode and all their top prospects are up. Common sense will tell you that.
I think Escobar is a clear upgrade. 35 homers in 2019, on pace for 30+ again this year, he would produce substantially more runs than Mendick. Not a massive improvement, but solid. I don’t want them to trade Kelley but at the same time, none of their prospects are in the top 100. It is always possible that someone pans out anyway, but chances are, anybody the Sox give up is probably not going to turn into a high ceiling player. All those guys are on their current team, and hopefully not going anywhere. I’m not worried about them trading any of their prospects, really. Just no to Kopech, Crochet, Vaughn. Especially not Kopech.
The fact is, for the Sox to trade for anybody really good, would cost prospects they don’t have. They will probably have to settle for modest improvements at multiple positions, hoping the combined impact will help, rather than hoping to land one really significant player in a trade. Escobar seems like a decent start, would be great if they could get Peralta in the same deal.
@jhomeslice
I agree Escobar would be a clear upgrade to Mendick. The only issue I would theoretically have is what would they give up for him. They wouldn’t give up Vaughn, Kopech, or Crochet for him. And the hope is they wouldn’t have to give up Kelley (and I don’t see them parting with Cespedes already). I guess we’ll see soon enough what the D-Backs want. If it’s anyone below Cespedes and Kelley on the prospect list, they better pull the trigger quick so they can boot Mendick from the lineup. Mendick is a fine backup, nothing more.
EVERYBODY…..look at the cost of rentals over the past few years! They are no what they used to be! If Hahn gives up Kelley in a deal for Escobar and Marte is not included, he’s an idiot, and we know Hahn is not an idiot. I know he says every chance is precious, but giving up a potential top 3 starter for a slight upgrade at 2B for 1/2 a year is insanity!
Escobar’s value isn’t prohibitive given he’s 35 and owed $4.5MM for the rest of the year. Arizona is going to want someone they can plug in now and let them play the rest of the year and a 18-19 prospect that hopefully won’t turn into a Tatis. A deal like a Sheets or Rutherford and Janes Beard or Luis Mieses probably gets the job done. Although I’d like to see them expand the deal to get Caleb Smith. It would be nice to have another spot starter or 2+ inning reliever on this team.
White Sox are down 4 outfielders right now. As much as I’d like to see Escobar at 2nd for the rest of the year, they could really use some outfield help in the short term, but also who can say how any of these guys will play if/when they return this year and if they’ll be able to stay healthy. Outfield might need to be the top priority right now. Not sure who’s out there right now and more importantly, who they can actually afford.
People who say Escobar or Frazier are going to take major-league talent forget that you Darvish was traded for a few high school kids. I’m not saying they are apples to apples comparison‘s, of course it is all about what a team is asking and what a team is willing to pay, but everybody is just making assumptions at this point. Nobody can guarantee that Pittsburgh or Arizona wouldn’t take a package of quantity over quality right now!
I will say Frazier is in a career year, can play multiple positions, and has another year left, So there may be a bidding war of sorts for him. I can’t necessarily say the same for Escobar, who just seems like a veteran add more than a talent add at this point. It seems like his main quality is that he has experience, not that he’s lighting it up this year. I would be shocked if the Sox had to pay more than a 15-20ish ranked prospect in their own system for him. I just don’t picture all the contenders beating down the door for Escobar!