ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Shortstop Yunel Escobar made it clear to the Tampa Bay Rays that he wanted to be part of their long-term future when he “commandeered” Andrew Friedman, as the executive vice president put it, during spring training.
For a team that seeks continuity at a reasonable price, the veteran’s unexpected approach made perfect sense.
Escobar, 31, agreed Sunday to a two-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $13 million. The club holds an option for 2017.
Escobar will earn the same $5 million he was scheduled for in 2015, and his salary would increase to $17 million the following two seasons. The team can buy him out for $1 million in 2017.
Friedman credited Escobar’s quality at an “extremely scare position” as part of the reason for the deal.
The Rays re-signed first baseman James Loney to a three-year, $21 million deal during the offseason. Two seasons ago, third baseman Evan Longoria signed what amounts to a lifetime extension through 2023. Versatile Ben Zobrist is the last remaining piece of unfinished infield business, with his current deal set to expire after next season.
Escobar was a Gold Glove finalist in 2013, and he batted .256 with 56 RBIs. In November 2012, Escobar was acquired by the Marlins in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Miami dealt him to the Rays a month later in exchange for second baseman Derek Dietrich.
In September 2012, Escobar wrote a homophobic slur on his eye black, leading to a three-game suspension, but the stigma of that incident is largely gone.
Escobar, who hit his first home on Saturday, said through an interpreter that the contract extension was the “best thing to ever happen to my career.”