KC Royals Potential Departures Vol. 3: Alcides Escobar

May 2, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) gets the out on Chicago White Sox catcher Geovany Soto (18) at second base and throws to first in the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) celebrates his two-run home run in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

So are you advocating putting some money into a shortstop who peaked in 2014? Or selling at a loss pre-deadline? Or letting him walk?

If I couldn’t flip him for anything of value, I’d probably let him walk. Raul Mondesi Jr. can hit an underfed teenager’s body weight, field his position adequately and do it for considerably less money than Esky is going to want come November.

Likelihood of being traded: 25 percent (this is not going to be a good market for shortstops who can’t hit and haven’t been good fielders in a while).

Return on Investment (if traded): Two mid-level prospects. If the Pirates fork over Gift Ngoepe (first South African in MLB history!) and Mike Wallace (RHP, 30^th-round pick in 2015), probably gotta jump on that.

Next: Vol. 2: LoCain

Future Contract: Three years, $18 million. Hopefully from someone else.

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