Chicago White Sox: Alcides Escobar not pleased after being released

After being let go by the Chicago White Sox, Alcides Escobar had an interesting statement on Twitter.

Despite spending eight seasons as a mainstay in the Royals lineup, Alcides Escobar did not have many suitors this offseason. As the offseason wound down, he signed a minor league deal with the Orioles, only to be released just over a month later. However, he quickly landed on his feet, signing a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.

On Friday, Escobar’s tenure with the White Sox organization came to an end, as he was released from his contract. However, based on a tweet from the shortstop, the parting was not exactly amicable.

Escobar certainly did his part to earn another major league job. In his 405 plate appearances at Charlotte, he produced a surprising .286/.343/.444 batting line, slugging ten homers and 28 doubles. While the juiced ball at AAA may have some part in that offensive surge, that production is certainly noteworthy.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Nonetheless, the White Sox did not seem to regard Escobar as a viable major league option. When Tim Anderson was placed on the injured list at the end of June, Ross Detwiler and Daniel Palka were summoned from AAA. Perhaps that is what Escobar is referring to when he called the White Sox organization dishonest.

However, the White Sox did not have any contractual obligation to call Escobar up from the minors. His deal did not have an opt-out clause should he not be summoned to the majors by a specific date. While there may have been some sort of verbal understanding, it was not part of any formal deal.

His exit from Chicago notwithstanding, Escobar may be able to latch on to a team on a major league deal. As August trades are now a thing of the past, there are limited ways for teams to acquire players. Escobar still has the type of glove that can make an impact at the major league level, even if his offensive surge at AAA proves to be a mirage.

Even if Alcides Escobar feels that the Chicago White Sox were dishonest with him, he has gotten his freedom. This is a decision that could work out for Escobar, with contending teams potentially looking for infield depth.