TODAY: Shi Davidi of Sportsnet stories that Escobar’s deal is a minor league association.
Feb 15, 10:44pm: Escobar and the Jays are in settlement on a contract pending a bodily, stories Jon Heyman of the New York Put up (on X). Phrases of the deal stay unreported. Escobar is represented by DJ Rengifo y Associates.
9:55pm: Infielder Eduardo Escobar is nearing settlement on a free agent cope with the Blue Jays, stories Robert Murray of FanSided (X hyperlink). It’s not recognized if the previous All-Star is closing in on an enormous league contract or a minor league pact with a non-roster invite to Spring Coaching.
Escobar, 35, is coming off a disappointing 2023 marketing campaign. He opened the season because the Mets’ third baseman however started the yr in a dreadful stoop. Escobar carried a .125/.173/.229 line into the center of April and misplaced the beginning job to Brett Baty. The 13-year MLB veteran turned issues round in a depth function however appeared a bit superfluous on the New York roster as soon as Baty was recalled.
The Angels, reeling with infield accidents in late June, acquired Escobar for a pair of minor league pitchers. He didn’t produce a lot offensively, slumping to a .219/.259/.303 slash over 59 contests. The Halos made the plain name to purchase him out for $500K at yr’s finish versus retaining him by way of $9MM workforce choice.
Escobar completed the season with a mixed .226/.269/.344 batting line in 309 journeys to the plate. He struck out in a bit of greater than 1 / 4 of his plate appearances towards a 5.8% stroll proportion. Whereas he has by no means had nice strikeout and stroll numbers, Escobar’s energy manufacturing dropped off sharply. He hit six dwelling runs after topping the 20-homer mark in every of the prior 5 full schedules. That was the results of a big uptick in ground-balls and a drop in his laborious contact fee.
The Jays will hope for one thing extra intently approximating his 2021-22 type. Escobar was a barely above-average hitter in every of these seasons and mixed for a .247/.305/.452 exhibiting with 48 longballs over that stretch.
Escobar’s defensive grades have dropped off as he’s gotten into his mid-30s. He can play any of first, second or third base however obtained below-average marks in any respect three spots (though his first base expertise is restricted sufficient that it’s troublesome to attract conclusions about his glovework there).
Toronto has a variety of higher degree infield choices however doesn’t have a lot certainty at both second or third base. Final yr’s main starters, Whit Merrifield and Matt Chapman, are free brokers. The Jays introduced in Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a two-year pact. Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Ernie Clement and prospect Addison Barger are all on the 40-man roster and will vie for reps at one or each positions.
