The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back Eduardo Escobar. The D-Backs announced on Monday that they have reached a three-year deal with the infielder.
OFFICIAL: #Dbacks agree to terms with INF Eduardo Escobar on a 3-year contract through the 2021 season.
Welcome back, @escobarmaracay! pic.twitter.com/lnFksovux5
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 22, 2018
Escobar was one of Arizona’s biggest trade deadline acquisitions in 2018. He hit .268/.327/.444 with eight home runs in 54 games with the Diamondbacks. Between Arizona and the Minnesota Twins, he hit .272/.334/.489 with 23 home runs on the season.
Beyond just what Escobar can do, this can be taken as a sign that Arizona isn’t looking to rebuild. With A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin hitting free agency this year and Paul Goldschmidt set to become a free agent after 2019, that felt like a distinct possibility.
With this, it feels much less likely. Escobar will be 30 on Opening Day in 2019. He isn’t exactly the kind of player a team would bring back on a three-year deal if it was looking to get younger and rebuild.