WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals got outfielder Alex Escobar from the Chicago White Sox Sunday for minor-league outfielder Jerry Owens.
Escobar, 26, played just 46 games last season for Cleveland after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He hit just .211 with a home run and 12 RBI.
A former highly-regarded prospect of the New York Mets, Escobar has a .229 average with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 92 career games with the Mets and the Tribe.
"(Escobar) is capable of hitting 20 to 25 home runs and driving in 80 to 90 RBIs," said Washington interim General Manager Jim Bowden. "But he has had problems with injuries and lack of opportunities."
Owens, 23, was the Nationals' second-round pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. After being drafted, Owens played only two games for Class A Vermont because of a separated shoulder he suffered by crashing into the outfield wall.
