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The Diamondbacks have brought back infielder Eduardo Escobar on a three-year, $21 million deal, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
I’m told it’s for three years and $21 million.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) October 22, 2018
Escobar, who is expected to make around $7 million per year with this deal, is coming off a career season in 2018 after splitting time with both the Diamondbacks and Twins, hitting 23 home runs with 84 RBI while slashing .274/.334/.489 in 631 plate appearances across 151 games. Escobar also posted career highs in WAR (2.2), doubles (28), walks (52), total bases (277), and OPS+ (118).
Arizona acquired the 29-year-old Venezuelan native on July 27 in hopes of making a playoff push. The D-backs certainly got a little more out of the position this year after not receiving much from Jake Lamb while he occupied the hot corner prior to Escobar’s arrival. In addition to his numbers (eight homers, 21 RBI, .268/.327/.444 slash line in 54 games), Escobar gave the D-backs a player who could play second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions if need be.
Though critics may wonder if he left any money on the table by not waiting for free agency, Escobar may have made the right move in this case, considering the free agent market will feature Manny Machado (who has been an All-Star third baseman before), Josh Donaldson and Mike Moustakas. And with the way the Moustakas situation went down last year, Escobar guaranteed himself a place to play for the next three years while making more money than he did previously.