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 Submit (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 take care of the Blue Jays, stories Robert Murray of FanSided (X link). It’s not identified 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 12 months in a dreadful hunch. 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 apparent name to purchase him out for $500K at 12 months’s finish versus retaining him by way of $9MM staff choice.
Escobar completed the season with a mixed .226/.269/.344 batting line in 309 journeys to the plate. He struck out in a little bit greater than 1 / 4 of his plate appearances towards a 5.8% stroll share. Whereas he has by no means had nice strikeout and stroll numbers, Escobar’s energy manufacturing dropped off sharply. He hit six residence runs after topping the 20-homer mark in every of the prior 5 full schedules. That was the results of a major uptick in ground-balls and a drop in his exhausting contact fee.
The Jays will hope for one thing extra carefully 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 tough to attract conclusions about his glovework there).
Toronto has plenty of higher degree infield choices however doesn’t have a lot certainty at both second or third base. Final 12 months’s major 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.
