Free Agent Signing: Mets Land Third Baseman

Third base has been a trouble spot for the New York Mets the past couple of seasons, as incumbent JD Davis has either been injured, or error-prone much of the time. 

New general manager Billy Eppler hopes he's solved that issue with the signing of free agent Eduardo Escobar. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the deal is worth $20M over two years. 

Deal with Escobar does not take Mets out of running for Báez, who can play 2B. Escobar one of game’s most popular players among teammates, and teams value his clubhouse presence. https://t.co/yzHXdBvtvN

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 26, 2021

And as Rosenthal notes, Escobar brings a strong clubhouse presence to Queens, perhaps something that could come in handy after some of the upheaval of the past season. 

Escobar has averaged close to 600 at-bats in the last three full seasons, a far cry from the handlers of the hot corner for the Mets of late. He can also play second base, but the team is still hot on the trail of re-signing Javy Baez as well.

The former Minnesota Twin and Arizona Diamondback, Escobar had a strong season in 2021, combining for 28 HRs and 90 RBIs with the D-backs and a short stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Despite a down 2020 in the truncated two-month season, Escobar has shown himself to be a strong power source in the infield over the last 5 years. He's only two years removed from a 35 HR, 118 RBI breakout performance for the D-Backs in 2019. 

Escobar will be 33 come spring training, so the two-year deal is a very reasonable one for the Mets. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports