Yunel Escobar is an established major league shortstop, but the Marlins are not on the verge of acquiring him from the Blue Jays to replace Jose Reyes. According to a source that has spoken with the Marlins, their plan is to start Cuban defector Adeiny Hechavarria at short and Escobar at third, but they haven’t ruled out flipping Escobar to a team in need of a shortstop.
Escobar will make $5 million in 2013. Hechavarria, a Cuban defector who the Blue Jays landed with a four-year, $10 million deal, will make $1.75 million. Escobar doesn’t have a good reputation around the game. The Braves traded him to the Blue Jays for ex-Marlin Alex Gonzalez in part because they deemed him a toxic clubhouse presence. His immaturity on and off the field irked teammates and opponents alike.
The Blue Jays suspended Escobar for three games last season after he took the field with a homophobic slur on his eye black patches.
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