The Tampa Bay Rays and short stop Yunel Escobar have agreed upon a new two-year contract extension that will be worth a guaranteed $13 million and cover the 2015 and 2016 seasons with an additional club option for 2017.
Escobar was traded over to the Rays in December of 2012 and has been a model citizen with the Rays even though he came over with some baggage from previous stints with the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays.
In 2013, his first season with the Rays, Yunel Escober slashed .256/.332/.366 while contributing an even 100 wRC+. Escobar drove in 56 runs and scored 61 runs himself, he also hit nine home runs and swiped four bags. His 3.9 WAR also led all American League short stops in 2013.
The real value that Escobar brings to the table is his gold glove level defense. In fact, according to Stats LLC, Escobar’s .853 zone rating leads all major league shortstops over the past two seasons. Escobar seems to have found himself a nice home in Tampa Bay and has clearly been rewarded for his good behavior off the field and fantastic play on the field.
Here is but one example of the great defence he can provide:
(credit to FanGraphs.Com and SBNation for this GIF)
The Rays continue to find good value in re-signing this productive short stop to a reasonable contract.
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