DUNEDIN, Fla. — Eduardo Escobar and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a minor-league deal, pending a physical, according to an industry source, adding another versatile infielder into the club’s mix.
A well-regarded veteran who has hit 20 or more home runs five times in his 13 big-league seasons, the 35-year-old switch-hitter batted .226/.269/.344 in 99 games between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels last season.
Escobar has primarily been a third baseman in the majors, with 796 games on the hot corner, but also has played 330 games at shortstop, 159 at second base and 45 in the outfield.
His pending addition adds another piece to a deep Blue Jays infield mix that includes Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement vying for playing time at second and third base.
Speaking to media Thursday before word of the agreement broke, GM Ross Atkins said “it’s good to have some level of competition throughout your camp,” and added the division of playing time “will be dependent upon the work that went into this off-season, the progress players have made and then this spring training will be telling for us.”
