As they look to return to the playoffs for a third consecutive season and a fourth time in five years, the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly close to strengthening their infield.
Eduardo Escobar, a 2021 All-Star who spent the 2023 season with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels, is reportedly close to joining the Blue Jays.
Robert Murray of Fansided reported on Thursday night that “Escobar is moving toward a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.”
Free-agent infielder Eduardo Escobar is moving toward a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to sources familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 16, 2024
Infield is certainly a question mark for the Blue Jays. Whit Merrifield and Matt Chapman, Toronto’s primary second and third basemen during the 2023 season, are both still free agents. Escobar has experience at every infield position, though third base has been his primary position for most of his career. Escobar would likely fight for playing time with third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa but could also challenge Cavan Biggio at second base and even potentially fill in for Bo Bichette at shortstop.
Escobar’s best season came in 2019, when he slashed .269/.320/.511 and hit 35 home runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Two years later, he hit .253/.314/.472 with 28 home runs for the Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers and made his only All-Star team. He dipped off some with the Mets in 2022 (.240/.295/.430, 20 home runs) and even more in 2023 (.226/.269/.344, six home runs) with the Mets and Angels.
But if the money is right, he is potentially a good low-risk bounce-back candidate.
[Robert Murray on Twitter/X]
