Blue Jays rumors: Yunel Escobar to be available

The Toronto Blue Jays will make shortstop Yunel Escobar available this winter, but trading him won’t be an easy task considering his reputation, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

#bluejays will look to trade yunel escobar. wont be easy, considering his rep. but ss supply is weak. a's 1 possibility.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 21, 2012

Even before his three-game suspension as a result of the homophobic slur displayed across his eye-black during a Sept. game, Escobar was reportedly available. Following the ban it came out that he would once again be shopped this winter. The Blue Jays have shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria waiting in the wings.

Despite his drawbacks, Escobar has proven to be a capable shortstop at the major league level. While he only hit .253/.300/.344 this season, he owns a career line of .282/.353/.390. The 29-year-old’s set to make $5 million in 2013 and his contract includes a pair of $5 million team options for 2014-15.

Heyman notes that the Oakland Athletics are one of the teams that could be interested in Escobar. The A’s were tied to him earlier this summer.