3 players we’ll be thankful Billy Eppler didn’t trade, 2 we’ll wish he did

NY Mets holding onto Eduardo Escobar is worth it

When it looked like the Mets were getting Carlos Correa, Eduardo Escobar trade rumors were red hot. They never did get Correa because of his failure to pass the physical. So, what did the Mets do? They put a stake through the heart of those thoughts about trading away Escobar. It’ll be the right decision to make.

If anyone can turn things around this year, I believe it’s Escobar. He got so hot in the final month of the season. Some of it must carry over into 2023.

Escobar’s ability to play more than third base can at least translate into him becoming a bench player with pop. The Mets are loaded with guys with the potential to do the same. The difference between Escobar and some of those younger players is he can actually do it.

The one complaint, if there is one, would be that Escobar is blocking Brett Baty. This is a minor concern. The two could easily share playing time at the position. If Escobar hits, give him chances as the DH, too. Those inconveniences have a way of working out over the course of a 162-game schedule.

We’ll be thankful in 2023 that the Mets didn’t trade Escobar, at least not this offseason. Baty could always prove himself as the superior third baseman. In that case, maybe Escobar does in fact become someone to move. For now, he looks well worth keeping.