The last few years have been challenging for Eduardo Escobar. The 13-year MLB veteran has seen a sharp decline in his performance, transitioning from being a commendable player to significantly underperforming within about a year.
At 35, Escobar was one of the players cut from the Toronto Blue Jays' spring training roster this past Friday. The team informed him that he wouldn't be part of the Opening Day lineup, offering him the choice to either start the season with Triple-A Buffalo or seek release to explore free agency. Escobar chose the latter, hoping to find a new team in need of infield support before Opening Day.
However, the prospects of securing a position with a new team, especially on a major league contract, seem bleak for him. During this spring's 15 games with the Blue Jays, despite ample opportunities to improve his offensive performance, Escobar only managed a .122 batting average with three extra-base hits, seven RBIs, and 17 strikeouts to a single walk, indicating a lack of appeal in his recent performance.
Escobar's struggles aren't new; they've been evident for some time. Last season, splitting his playtime between the Angels and Mets, he failed to find his stride, batting just .226 with a lowly .613 OPS and 67 OPS+. His increased strikeouts and reduced walks contributed to a significant fall in his productivity.
Formerly an All-Star and reliable utility infielder known for his offensive and defensive capabilities, Escobar's talents seem to have waned. Following a year of difficulties with additional struggles in spring training, his prospects for the near future appear dim. Despite his determination to continue playing, the interest from other teams, particularly for a major league contract, is likely to be minimal.
