New York Mets focus on versatility with Eduardo Escobar signing

New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler has made his first mark on the franchise, reportedly inking Eduardo Escobar to a two-year deal worth $20 million and a club option in the third year as well.

Here’s what the Eduardo Escobar signing means for the New York Mets

The 32-year-old Escobar played first, second, and third base for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers last season, and will give the Mets various options in the field. As MLBTradeRumors points out in this article, Escobar isn’t the strongest defensive player, but he’s still able to give the new Mets manager (whoever that will be) options when filling out his lineup card.

And it’s on the offensive side where Escobar will bring his greatest strength.

Last season between Arizona and Milwaukee, Escobar slashed .253/.314/.472 and smacked 28 home runs, right in line with the average of 28.7 home runs per season he has hit in each of his last three full seasons (not counting the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign).

In his career, he has a 162-game average slash line of .256/.309/.436 and an OPS+ of 99. Escobar, however, has shown enough in recent seasons that the Mets apparently feel confident bringing him on board and letting his bat and his versatility be his calling card.

New York will represent the fifth team that Escobar has suited up for, and his third National League team along with Arizona and Milwaukee. In his eight seasons in the American League and four in the NL, his numbers are almost identical in either league (slashing .256/.307/.415 in 2,527 AL plate appearances and .256/.313/.467 in 1,743 NL plate appearances).

Over the next two seasons, Escobar will have the chance to show that he can continue to contribute at an above-league clip. His contract is the first of the offseason for the Mets, who are expected to make bigger splashes in order to compete for the National League East crown next season.