Braves trade Escobar to Blue Jays for Gonzalez

Yunel Escobar goes to Toronto as the Braves get Alex Gonzalez to boost the offense. (Icon SMI)

By Lindyssports.com staff

The Atlanta Braves have traded shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Toronto shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

Also included in the deal was Jo-Jo Reyes going from Atlanta to Toronto and minor leagues shortstop Tyler Pastornicky and pitcher Tim Collins going to Atlanta.

Escobar has had a poor first half. He is hitting .239 with no home runs and 19 runs batted in and had a .206 batting average in July.

Gonzalez, who played with Florida, Boston and Cincinnati before coming to Toronto, has 17 home runs and 50 runs batted in at the break. He is hitting .259.

“This trade improves our club for the second half of the season,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren said. “We have been looking at ways to strengthen our club offensively and Alex Gonzalez is a proven veteran player who gives us added power. He is a winner and a solid offensive presence in the lineup as well as a quality defensive shortstop.”

Reyes, 25, appeared in only one game for the Braves this season. He is 5-15 with a 6.40 ERA for his career.