Escobar, 35, just finished a dismal 2023 campaign. He was the Mets’ third baseman to start the season, but he had a terrible slump. Up until the middle of April, Escobar had a.125/.173/.229 line, but Brett Baty had taken over as the starting pitcher. In a depth position, the 13-year MLB veteran turned things around, but after Baty was recalled, he felt a little unnecessary on the New York roster.
In late June, the Angels, beset by injuries to their infield, traded two minor league pitchers for Escobar. His offensive output was meager, as evidenced by his 59-game.219/.259/.303 slash line. The Halos wisely decided to buy him out for $500K at the end of the season rather than keeping him on a $9MM team option.
Escobar concluded the season with a combined batting line in 309 at-bats of.226/.269/.344. Against a 5.8% walk rate, he struck out in slightly more than 25% of his plate appearances. Although Escobar has never had a high strikeout or walk rate, his power output abruptly decreased. After surpassing the 20-home run mark in each of the previous five complete schedules, he hit six home runs. That came about as a result of his hard contact percentage declining and a notable increase in ground balls. The Jays will be hoping for something that more closely resembles his performance in 2021–2022. In those three seasons, Escobar was a little above average at the plate, combining for a.247/.305/.452 line with 48 long balls.
When Escobar entered his mid-30s, his defensive grades began to decline. He can play any position at first, second, or third base, but he only garnered below-average grades in each (though it’s hard to judge his glove work at first base because of how little experience he has there).
Toronto doesn’t have much security at second or third base, but it does have a variety of elite infield possibilities. The main starters from the previous season, Whit Merrifield and Matt Chapman, are unrestricted free agents. Isiah Kiner-Falefa was signed by the Jays to a two-year contract.Among the 40-man roster are prospects Addison Barger, Davis Schneider, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, and Ernie Clement, who may compete for playing time at one or both positions.