Report: INF Eduardo Escobar and the Mets agree to a two-year, $20 million contract
Escobar's versatility and power should lengthen their lineup and offer switch-hitting depth for the roster
The Mets have made their first significant move of the off-season, agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract with an option with free agent infielder Eduardo Escobar, according to multiple reports.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network was first to report the two sides were in agreement on a contract.
Escobar, 32, hit a combined .253/.314/.472 in 146 games with 26 doubles, five triples, 28 home runs and 90 RBI for the Diamondbacks and Brewers in 2021, combining for 3 fWAR and 107 wRC+ for the two clubs. He slugged a career-high 35 home runs in 2019 and went 3-for-10 against the Braves in the 2021 Division Series for Milwaukee.
Escobar did miss ten days in late August and early September with a mild hamstring strain.
Escobar can play all four infield positions, although he played 99 games at third base in 2021 while producing -3 defensive runs saved at the position and is generally average to slightly below average defensively.
Escobar’s arrival should not preclude the Mets in their other pursuits to bolster the infield and at third base in particular, although this could certainly mean JD Davis is the odd man out on the infield no matter how the off-season continues to unfold. It could also mean Davis, who is projected to earn $2.7 million and Dominic Smith $4 million through arbitration, per MLB Trade Rumors, will be shopped with the Mets looking for a taker for at least one of them in a trade to fill other needs.