The Diamondbacks have announced a new contract with infielder Eduardo Escobar, as Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic first reported (Twitter links). It’s said to be a three-year, $21MM pact. Escobar is a client of DJ Rengifo Y Associates LLC.
This news represents a fascinating turn of events just before the official onset of free agency. The 29-year-old, who was picked up in a mid-season swap with the Twins, had been slated to reach the open market for the first time.
Opting to wait for free agency would surely have given Escobar a shot at a somewhat bigger payday. After all, the switch-hitter just wrapped up a career year in which he slashed .272/.334/.489 with 23 home runs while thriving defensively at third base. MLBTR has yet to release its free agent predictions, but had initially contemplated a contract of three years and $30MM.
That said, things don’t always work out as hoped on the open market. There are several strong competitors in the third base market, and teams that like Escobar’s versatility will also be intrigued by Marwin Gonzalez.
For Escobar, his broader history is rather less enticing than his 2018 output standing alone. Over the past five seasons, he carries a .261/.312/.433 slash — good for an exactly league-average 100 OPS+. And though he has played all over the diamond, including at shortstop, he hasn’t always graded as a stellar defender up the middle and so may not be seen as much of an option there as he ages.
Doing this deal now, then, avoids some risks for both parties. Clearly, both sides liked the fit after only a few months together. And it’s not hard to see how the contract can suit team and player moving forward.
Really, the most interesting element of this decision is what it means for the Arizona organization. With the offseason approaching, it had seemed quite likely that the club would embark upon a rebuilding effort. While it’s certainly still possible that he Snakes will look to shift some assets with the future in mind, promising Escobar three years certainly isn’t something that a team would do before a full-blown teardown.
With Escobar on hand, it’s also fair to wonder just what the D-Backs plan to do with some other infielders. Jake Lamb will be looking to bounce back from a miserable and injury-riddled campaign, but keeping him will mean ponying up a projected $4.7MM. It remains to be seen what the club will do with Lamb, as well as fellow infielders Nick Ahmed ($3.1MM projection) and Chris Owings ($3.6MM). Ketel Marte is already under contract on a five-year, $24MM extension.
Today’s move leaves the Diamondbacks with plenty of options, particularly given Escobar’s versatility, so it’s hardly a fully committing decision. It also means that the organization has over $130MM in estimated payroll on the books, including its robust slate of arb-eligible players. This year, the Snakes opened with a club-record $131.5MM tab.
If the signing hints that the D-Backs will not blow things up entirely, it remains hard to imagine that the club will fully press down on the gas pedal. As MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk recently explored, the organization could attempt to shave some salary obligations, hold onto its pre-MLB talent base, and try to remain as competitive as possible by overseeing a value-oriented winter. Getting Escobar at an appealing rate certainly seems to fit that mold, though the club’s precise course from this point forward remains to be seen.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I wonder if he DBacks will pursue a trade for Jake Lamb now.. either that or they got some bad news about his injury recovery. Interesting, nonetheless
I think he is a likely non tender.
Not a chance
lol
I’d take lamb on the cards. Send you guys weaver and a prospect, or Kelly and a prospect?
That’s an overpay IMO
Lamb for weaver would be a steal for AZ.
Good thing you aren’t the Cards GM
Lamb is one year removed from 30 hrs and a 840 ops. Hes cheap too. I liked weaver coming up but hes been real bad for awhile. Weaver has good stuff, but one bad inning and hes toast, all down hill. So IMO I think weaver for lamb would be a good trade. And the cards gm hasnt had a very good track record lately. Maybe not add a prospect but straight up one for one
So no firesale then?
Not necessarily. They can still trade Escobar and it honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see them do that.
Would they not have to wait till June? Or does that rule only apply to free agents?
Rule only applies to free agent signings. Not extensions.
No.
free agent can’t be traded
Again, he wasn’t a free agent. He signed an extension. That rule doesn’t apply to extensions. They can trade him the day after the World Series ends if they want to.
Whether they technically can or not that’d signal a good deal of bad faith on AZ’s part. I wouldn’t expect him dealt until the deadline if that’s the course they go.
It wouldn’t signal anything. Every player knows he can be traded at any time. If that was an issue for Escobar he would have demanded a NTC.
It very much would be a show of bad taste for AZ. Look at how the O’s deal with Medicals and how we view them as an organization because of it. I’m certain the players see this too. If AZ goes and trades him right away it is terrible PR and makes them look like a joke.
Wow. Setting the market early. Paying right at $7 million per bWAR of his 2018 production. Not bad.
Except he was worth 3.2 WAR in 2018. 2.2’with Twins 1.0 with dbacks
21/3 = 7 was my point. They are paying about $7 million per WAR based on his 2018 production.
No. They are paying 2.19m/WAR
It’s a three- year, $21M deal. That means he’s getting $7M a year for 3 years.
21/3 does equal 7 that’s about the only thing you have correct. If he produces 3 War per year that would be an excpected WAR a total of 9. 9 WAR for 21 million or 7 Mil for 3 WAR. What you said doesn’t make any sense.
Correct disgruntled. That has nothing to do with the OP’s post about 7MM/WAR. That makes zero sense. Here’s another example of the same logic he used. Let’s say Manny Machado was a 5 win player last year and let’s just say he’s signs a 5 year 100 million dollar deal. What he said is the equivalent of saying you paid machado 20mil/War.
Per BWAR rooster. Less than that if use the ol FWAR….. the op’s post was one of the more headscratching posts I’ve seen and the fact that three individuals upvoted it is even more troubliNg.
I see what I did wrong there. Should be $7 million per year divided by WAR or expected WAR, not years.
My mistake.
This is brutally bad math or understanding of $/WAR.
Lmao this is hilarious.
Brutally bad math. See above.
Why is it a “fascinating turn of events?”
With so many free agents to be many speculated the d backs may trade assets and look to semi rebuild. Signing Escobar doesnt seem like that’s the plan.
Because it’s a cheap, long-term deal for a quality player, and it signals that the front office is not planning a fire sale–i.e., trading away Goldy.
They can still do a fire sale. This extension doesn’t mean they can’t trade Escobar.
Aren’t teams supposed to hold off until the WS concludes?
Hasnt started and think you can negotiate with your own players about extensions.
Arod did this a couple years ago during.
They’re resigning him and he’s still technically under their control. The DBacks wouldn’t be able to sign, say, David Robertson right now though since he’s not a free agent until after the WS.
That’s not actually a written rule, just a preference by MLB.
That’s incorrect. Players don’t begin to file for free agency until 48 hours after the World Series has ended. It’s a written rule.
Clubs are, however, discouraged from announcing personnel moves during the World Series. Which would be relevant to this conversation if it was during the World Series.
…yeah so how am I wrong? Your second paragraph is the only thing being discussed here. You should actually read conversations before arguing. No one was talking about his free agency eligibility.
The question was if teams were allowed to make personnel moves at this time of the year. The answer is technically yes, though MLB prefers they not do it.
Then you come along and say the exact same thing. Good job. 20 internet cool points for you.
Gotta wonder the way free agency went last year and with the fact that it will be slow until Machado, Harper and others that will take there time in signing this year. This may be the smartest free agent to be.
Escobar now rolling in the EduarDOUGH
lol
Good deal for both sides
he signed too early, could have gotten more in the open market
That isn’t necessarily true at all. He’s a pretty average player, in a year where multiple elite players are available.
I think he could’ve gotten a lot more in free agency, so it seems he really wants to play for the D’backs.
7 million a year and playing somewhere he likes is just fine to him. It’s not always about the money people.
Unless he got a NTC he doesn’t necessarily get to play somewhere he likes.
Go away, you’re a troll who has no true understanding of the game!
So we’re just going to call me a troll because I realize that signing an extension doesn’t mean you can’t be traded? It’s happened plenty of times.
Absolutely agree
We won’t know that until after the market takes shape. He had a good platform year, but this is a pretty deep FA class.
now pollock and goldie?
He decided not to gamble, and with Machado, Donaldson, and possibly Moose, there is a lot of competition at 3B. There’s also little demand for SS or 2B.
Smart move by him in my opinion. There’s value in staying where you’re comfortable and 21 mil is generation wealth. All these fringe guys who are good players but could probably be easily replaced by any young player would be wise to sign early and get guaranteed money instead of complaining about not having a job in February.
Unless he got a NTC he doesn’t necessarily get to stay where he’s comfortable.
was afraid he would he be traded to the Giants……………………………….lol
Agree with rooster here. He won’t be dealt tomorrow but he only bought himself a relatively certain guarantee he’ll be in Arizona until July. There’s no way you can ship the guy out before then if you ever hope to get anyone to sign another similar type extentsion with your franchise but come July who knows where he could bE.
Do we have any empirical evidence that trading a guy away after he signs an extension will make it harder to extend players in the future? Padres traded Seth Smith just 5 months after he signed a very team friendly extension and that hasn’t stopped them from extending other players.
Smith was extended in early July and played 3 months with the Padres before they traded him. This is entirely different than being extended after the season is essentially over. Whether or not Escobar can be traded, he certainly didn’t forgo his free agency to be traded over the off-season.
If that’s the case why not get a NTC?
Most teams don’t give NTCs unless they player in question is a considerable investment or star player. It’s not something most players can demand. Get a clue
Sure it’s something he can demand. The Diamondbacks can’t demand him to sign a below-market value extension and apparently part of it for Escobar is wanting to stay in AZ. If that is the case why not get it in writing that he actually, ya know, gets to stay in AZ?
PS: If the Diamondbacks really aren’t planning on trading him I don’t see why it would be an issue.
Precedent is why. You don’t give Eduardo Escobar a NTC because then you’re giving every Eduardo Escobar type player a NTC.
Only the ones you really want to extend for below market value and don’t plan on trading anyway.
Gonzalez & Harrison from Pittsburgh are two good options in the market that can play all over. Free agency will be fun to watch this offseason
Not sure Harrison can be a good option any longer. His production has fallen off since his extension, when he’s healthy that is. He seems more like a MiLB contract in waiting with an invite.
Harrison’s value has fallen off of a cliff in the last 2 years. He’s OK as a 2B, doesn’t hit nearly enough to play 3B for most teams, and can’t play anywhere else well. I won’t be surprised if he has to wait awhile before finding a new team.
He was an all star in 2017.. he gets a strong MLB deal is my guess
Wish the Twins could’ve gotten him back. He was a fan favorite.
Agreed.. at that price even the T’in’s would have been in.
Seems to me like they will go all in one last time before a rebuild
i think they they just keep retooling and keep plugging along…for better or worse.
Well they won’t ever make the playoffs that way and as a Padres fan that’s one less contender in our division so no complaints here.
They made the playoffs last year by doing the exact same thing.
That was before they lost Corbin, Pollock, Goldy and whoever else they are about to lose and Any regression from Greinke will hurt them a ton.
I tend to agree
He’s got 3b Lamb is worse defensively and he’ll move to first if their is a Goldie deal, don’t be shocked if Goldie ends up in Houston they have talent at all levels and of course Mgr knows Goldie.
Obviously, Escobar will play 3B. Lamb moves to 1B and Goldy is traded. That’s as it should be.
Goldschmidt DID play one game in centerfield back in 2009 for Missoula in the Rookie League, so that opens more possibilities!
But does he draw rave reviews at catcher or the outfield?
If they do move goldy and go with that plan are they good enough to compete? Plenty of teams are racing towards the bottom to rebuild but are you telling me a goldy, Corbin and probably pollock-less diamondbacks have a chance to win more than 80 games? I don’t see anyway in hell that’ll happen. Maybe lll be surprised and the guys in that rotation bust out and Archie Bradley becomes a dominant reliever again but if I were betting I’d say no chance.
Behind Escobar’s decision:
April temperature in Arizona = 83 degrees
April temperature in Minnesota = 33 degrees (open air stadium)
Enough Said
I would have liked to have seen him come back to the Twins, but good for Eduardo in getting decent money for three years.
Not really decent money considering the consensus appears to be that he is worth more than 3/$21m and the Diamondbacks can trade him whenever they want.
I had this mistaken idea that the Twins only traded their most popular player because they were confident that they could resign him in the offseason. Escobar signing this before free agency even begins tells me I was dreaming.
The twins could probably trade for him at the deadline. itll just cost more than they received for him the first time.
Agreed he should of waited. Waiting is always better , just ask Moustakous
Good move for the Snakes. Giving up Maciel plus for 2 months of a guy didn’t seem worth it to me, but for 3 years and 2 months, we have a discussion.
(Im higher on Maciel than I probably should be but once he tacks on some weight/strength I expect at least some power to develop. L)
Good deal for the D’backs. And considering last off-season, it really is a decent deal for Escobar too.
This move kind of muddles Arizona’s intentions, however, as I still believe they are a club that should take part in some sort of rebuild. Of course they still can, and it doesn’t hurt to have a veteran around for the process.
Escobar will be traded next offseason if not earlier. It has been written.
I mean it wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Considering Escobar’s age, and both the years and aav of the deal, it’s a very trade-able contract.
I think the D-Backs will have to shed some payroll and may be looking to re-tool in the infield a little. Lamb can be dealt for prospects, Ahmed will be non-tendered and Chris Owings will be gone also. The Infield would remain Gold, Marte, Escobar and they can look for a cheap infielder to round it out.