Escobar signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After spending the 2020 season abroad with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Escobar will continue his career stateside, returning to the organization with which he played from 2011 through 2018. The 34-year-old served as the Royals' starting shortstop for most of his eight-year run, but he's unlikely to be anything more than a depth infielder if he rises to the big-league roster at any point in 2021. Escobar will have to impress at Triple-A Omaha before getting serious consideration for a promotion.

Escobar agreed to a contract Wednesday with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Kazuto Yamazaki of Baseball Prospectus reports.

EDGE Analysis

After failing to win an Opening Day roster spot with the White Sox last spring, Escobar reported to Triple-A Charlotte and slashed .286/.343/.444 across 405 plate appearances before being cut loose in August. Rather than settling for another minor-league deal this winter and pursuing a long-shot bid to win an MLB roster spot, Escobar will head overseas and presumably play under a more lucrative contract.

Escobar was released by the White Sox on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Escobar signed a minor-league deal with Chicago in March and spent the last four months at Triple-A Charlotte. The veteran shortstop posted a .286/.343/.444 slash line with 10 home runs in 96 games.

Escobar signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Escobar was released by the Orioles on Wednesday and was apparently unable to find any major-league opportunities elsewhere. The 32-year-old should head to Triple-A Charlotte and will serve as a depth option at shortstop for the White Sox.

Escobar was released by the Orioles on Wednesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles elected to go with youth and upside over veteran leadership, with the 32-year-old Escobar jettisoned in favor of Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson. Escobar's viability as a major leaguer is questionable at this point in his career, as the advanced metrics haven't liked his defense for the last few years and he hasn't posted a wRC+ above 69 since 2014.

Escobar has an opt-out in his contract which triggers Wednesday, meaning the Orioles' decision on whether or not to add him to the major-league roster is imminent, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles must decide if they want a veteran taking up a spot on the roster or they'd be better served giving playing time to young players given where they currently sit in the competitive cycle. Escobar is hitting just .219 with a .597 OPS this spring, though Baltimore was likely never expecting much more than veteran leadership from him at this point in his career. Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson represent the Orioles' primary alternatives at shortstop.

Escobar went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's exhibition against Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Escobar plated a run in the second inning on a fielder's choice and laced an RBI single into left field to score Jonathan Villar in the third. He's off to a strong start with Baltimore and will aim to keep it rolling as he attempts to earn a utility role with the big-league club.

Escobar joined the Orioles at their spring training facility Tuesday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Escobar had struck an agreement to join the Orioles on a minor-league deal over the weekend but needed a couple of days to get his travel arrangements in order before reporting to camp. He'll be only a day behind his fellow position players, so the delay shouldn't impact Escobar's ability to make the club. After mostly serving as an everyday shortstop for Kansas City the past eight seasons, Escobar will be competing for a utility gig with the big club and looks on track to fall well short of the 500 plate appearances he's cleared every year since 2009.

Escobar signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to free agency on Saturday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran averaged 155 games per season in eight seasons with the Royals and was a key part of Kansas City's back-to-back pennant runs in 2014 and 2015, though he's never done much at the plate. In 11 total big-league seasons, he's hit .258/.293/.343 with just 41 homers. He joins one of the easiest rosters to break into in the league, though the Orioles would likely prefer to give at-bats to younger players.

Escobar is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Indians, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Escobar will take a seat for the second straight game despite a six-game hit streak in which he is 9-for-22 with two doubles and a walk. Hunter Dozier grabs another start at third base for the Royals, batting sixth.