The Blue Jays released veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar on Friday, according to manager John Schneider as reported by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Escobar had been attending camp under a minor league contract, but the team notified him this morning that he wouldn’t be making the final roster, making him a free agent once more.
Escobar, aged 35, faced significant challenges in securing a spot on the Toronto roster. While the team lacked a clear everyday choice for second or third base, there were numerous options available for both positions. Cavan Biggio was considered a probable candidate for playing time at second base, with Davis Schneider also in contention. At third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa appeared to be the frontrunner after signing a two-year deal in the offseason, although Justin Turner could fill in there occasionally when not serving as the designated hitter.
During spring training, Ernie Clement appeared to have secured the backup infield role, prompting the Jays to trade Santiago Espinal to the Reds. Despite the option to keep Espinal for depth, the team also had Orelvis Martinez, Addison Barger, and Leo Jimenez on the roster. Additionally, Joey Votto and Daniel Vogelbach were present in camp as non-roster options for a bench role.
Escobar faced a daunting task of competing against this group, particularly after posting lackluster numbers of .122/.143/.268 during spring training. With a mediocre performance last year with the Mets and Angels, where he recorded .226/.269/.344, Escobar didn’t have much momentum towards securing a roster spot and will now explore free agency once again.
Despite his inconsistent career, Escobar can still appeal to teams based on his solid performance in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, during which he hit 28 and 20 home runs respectively. His slash line of .247/.305/.452 during that period equates to a wRC+ of 106. Although not known for his defensive prowess, his ability to play multiple positions besides shortstop and his switch-hitting capability provide him with valuable versatility.
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