SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ The Los Angeles Angels on Monday exercised their option to retain veteran third baseman Yunel Escobar at a $7 million salary for 2017. Had they declined the option, they would have owed him $1 million in severance.
Escobar, 34, hit .304 in 132 games for the club last season. He compiled a .355 on-base percentage and .391 slugging mark while batting leadoff. Advanced metrics harshly measured his defense and baserunning, plunging his overall value below the big league average for regulars.
But at a net cost of $6 million, the decision was not difficult. More likely, the Angels waited to ascertain what the trade market for him might be this winter.
The Angels explored trading Escobar ahead of last season's Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. They discussed him with at least two teams, but concerns about his comportment hindered his value.
Escobar was ejected from three games, once when he drew a strike zone in the dirt to show how badly an umpire had blown a call. Asked about it later, he shouted expletives at reporters.
After the Escobar decision and last week's acquisition of left fielder Cameron Maybin, the Angels have presumptive starters at at least seven positions, the only uncertainties at second base and catcher.
They could opt to split catching duties between 26-year-olds Carlos Perez and Jett Bandy, but are without obvious second-base options within the organization.
"We have nobody that's played 120 or 130 games, to date, at second base," said General Manager Billy Eppler, who is at GM meetings in Scottsdale. "That would be nice to find."
