The Royals turned back the clock Tuesday, announcing that they’ve agreed to terms with veteran shortstop Alcides Escobar on a minor league deal. Escobar, the Royals’ everyday shortstop for their 2014-15 World Series teams, will head to Triple-A Omaha to begin the season.
Now 34 years old, Escobar was one of the key pieces Kansas City received in the 2010 trade that sent Zack Greinke to Milwaukee. Coming over alongside Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress, Escobar quickly established himself as a foundational piece for the Royals. He was never a huge contributor at the plate, but at his best he hit for a respectable average while racking up 30-plus steals per year and flashing Gold Glove-caliber leather.
Escobar has appeared in parts of eight seasons with the Royals in the past, batting a combined .259/.292/.344 in just over 5000 plate appearances. He spent the 2020 season with the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, hitting .273/.312/.329 through 104 games.
Escobar is on hand as a depth piece right now, but with Adalberto Mondesi still sidelined and being no stranger to prolonged stints on the injured list, it makes sense to bring in some veteran depth. The Royals have already gotten a notable portion of the 2014-15 band back together, as they currently have Wade Davis, Greg Holland and Jarrod Dyson on the MLB roster alongside franchise cornerstones Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy.
Nicky Lopez has been handling shortstop work in Mondesi’s absence and has performed well in the early stages of the season, but he has a limited track record at the plat. If his bat steps back or if the Royals incur further injuries in the middle infield, it’s possible that Escobar will be brought back into the fold and given another reunion tour in front of the Kansas City faithful.
I thought Alcides Escobar retired for some reason.
same
After playing at AAA for the White Sox in 2019 Escobar played in Japan last season. Doesn’t seem like its been two years since we last saw him in KC
I would venture to guess that most teams have a AA shortstop that is more capable than Escobar. He wasn’t good when he was 30, why would they think he’s going to be good at 34?
That career .293 OBP though.. Yikes.
The fact that their 2015 team had Escobar at leadoff and Hosmer hitting 3rd will always make me wonder how they won the WS
One reason they won that series was because Escobar hit lead off. First pitch of the 15 world series. Inside the park HR baby!
This was out of the blue. Hope this doesn’t mean they are expecting issues with Mondesi.
*ALCS MVP, Gold Glove and All-Star shortstop, Alcides Escobar.
“All star” lol. Yes, Royals fans know how to fill out an all star ballot! (Gold glove questionable also, and anyone can get hot for one series. There is a reason no other team has ever showed interest in him.)
Context, kids. Context.
Still looks good on a resume.
@sideline The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox showed interest in him by signing him to minor league contracts.
Odd
Nicky Lopez fell awkwardly on his shoulder last night while making a great play at short. I would think if he goes to IL Alberto will play SS and Esky will just be a backup. Not ideal but someone has to do it.
Is he even ready to play? Seems like he’d need a minimum of three weeks to get into game form. Feels more like a depth move, preparing for the long season.
Escobar, Dyson, Holland, and Davis back. Any chance they could trade for Hosmer, Cain, or Moose?
I bet Cincinnati would say Yes
Was that a dig on Moose? He’s got a 120 OPS+ and 0.5 WAR so far this season so not like he’s killing the Reds at the moment.
Maybe Mike Sweeney and Johnny Damon along with Beltran as well. If they need more depth they could Maybe get David Dejesus too.
I heard Steve Balboni is still a free agent.
Amos Otis, Steve Busby, Paul Splittorff, Freddie Patek, George Brett, Hal McRae, Dennis Leonard, Frank White, Mark Littell, Willie Wilson, Bret Saberhagen, Bo Jackson, Mark Gubicza, Kevin Appier, Tom Gordon, Jeff Montgomery…
Cincy/kc is a great match if kc try’s to make a move down the stretch. Moose would be a nice throw in piece in an attempt to add starting pitching depth or a bat
All of a sudden, Lomo signed with independent to make the Olympic team, Alcides is a royal, and forsythe is a brewer! What’s next…. Lucas Duda?
I’m a Sox fan, and I hate the Royals with a PASSION. But, it would be great if he went back to his old days, wins MVP and the Royals still suck. That’s my hope, happy for the guy
Lol trust me, the feeling toward the stellar south side is mutual in Kansas City.
And in fairness, his “old days” still consisted of several mediocre years. Esky was a staple defensively, and I’ll always appreciate his years with the Royals, but he had the plate discipline of a six year-old and no ability to adapt.
True, glad we both hate the Twins though who are truthfully a 4th place team.
The feeling is mutual bud.
ridiculous! Time for Bobby Witt Jr. He should have started the season in KC
Not this again… no, he shouldn’t have. Minor league season is starting today. Let’s see how he does in AA in games that matter, and assess him then.
Right. But if he balls out – then yeah, he should be in the majors
When I read this headline, I fell down,
attn Kelvin Herrera, time to come out of retirement…
Is George Brett still a free agent?
Looks like Escobar will gain 10-5 rights if he makes the big league roster for about 3 months
That return for Greinke was outstanding! Escobar was the headline but what a solid rest of crop
good to see him back but…there are many younger SSs out there.