The Diamondbacks announced that the club has signed infielder Eduardo Escobar to a three-year contract. Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic hears the total value of the contract is $21 million.
Escobar, 29, hit a combined .272/.334/.489 with 23 home runs and 84 RBI in 631 plate appearances between the Twins and D-Backs this past season. The Twins traded him ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline in late July, receiving a trio of minor leaguers.
Escobar was headed into free agency after his most productive season to date, but he might have been concerned with the lack of action last offseason, striking while the iron is hot. Escobar likely would have had to wait for Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson to come off the board before finding a new home.
Jake Lamb suffered a rotator cuff injury in July, prompting the D-Backs to acquire Escobar. Lamb underwent surgery in August but expect him to be ready for spring training. Escobar has experience playing second base and shortstop as well as the outfield so he doesn’t necessarily need to have a set position.