The Mets’ first notable addition of the offseason will bring a veteran infielder to Queens.
Eduardo Escobar, who spent last season with the Diamondbacks and Brewers, reached agreement Friday with the Mets on a two-year contract worth $20 million, pending a physical, according to industry sources. The deal also includes a club option for 2024.
The 32-year-old Escobar can play third and second base, giving the Mets insurance if Javier Baez departs through free agency. A source indicated Esbobar’s addition won’t preclude the Mets from attempting to re-sign Baez, who hopes to have his situation settled before the anticipated Dec. 2 lockout.
Escobar, a switch hitter, posted a .253/.314/.472 slash line with 28 homers and 90 RBIs in 146 games last season. In addition to the Diamondbacks and Brewers, he has played for the White Sox and Twins during an 11-year major league career. Escobar could fill a role for the Mets similar to the one Jonathan Villar held last season as an almost full-time super-sub.
Multiple reports on Friday indicated the Tigers had recently increased their pursuit of Baez, who has also been linked to the Red Sox, Cubs and Rangers, among others. Though the Mets can’t offer Baez the shortstop position — Francisco Lindor owns that spot long term — they can present him an opportunity to continue in New York, helping to anchor a lineup with his friend Lindor.
If Baez, who turns 29 on Dec. 1, were to leave, he would join Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Loup (both of whom recently signed with the Angels) as key offseason departures. Only adding to the Mets’ disappointment this offseason, the team missed on left-hander Steven Matz, who agreed to a four-year deal worth $44 million with the Cardinals. That signing left Mets owner Steve Cohen fuming, accusing Matz’s agent of breaking a promise to circle back to the team for a possible last offer.
Baez arrived from the Cubs at the trade deadline last season and hit .299/.371/.515 as one of the Mets’ most productive players in the second half. He became embroiled in controversy as one of the players who flashed the “thumbs down” sign in August, admitting it was a way of booing the fans, but redeemed himself with his scintillating play, which included strong glovework at second base and electrifying baserunning.
“[Baez] did a phenomenal job for us,” Cohen said on WFAN last week, noting that he dined with Baez after the season. “He’s an exciting ballplayer to watch. He brings a lot of energy to the table. I really like Javy.”
In a crowded market for premier infielders, Baez stands out in that he was ineligible for the qualifying offer and therefore won’t require a compensatory draft pick from the team that signs him. Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Trevor Story are among the players who declined the qualifying offer and remain attached to a compensatory draft pick.
Mets president Sandy Alderson has indicated the team is leaning strongly toward avoiding free agents attached to the qualifying offer. The Mets own two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 14 overall) and would lose the latter if they were to sign a free agent who received the qualifying offer. The No. 11 pick is protected as compensation for failing to sign last summer’s first-round draft pick, Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker.
Escobar, Jeff McNeil and Robinson Cano are possibilities to play second base if Baez departs. But the Mets could also intend to use McNeil as a trade chip following his disappointing season at the plate, and there is uncertainty about the 39-year-old Cano, who missed all of last season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (his second offense). Cano was recently removed from his Dominican Winter League’s team roster with lower-back discomfort and is considered week-to-week.
Escobar also could fit at third base, where J.D. Davis is far from a certainty to return. Davis could join McNeil on the possible trade block depending on how the offseason materializes.
— Additional reporting by Joel Sherman