The Chicago Cubs have made their first signing of the offseason, inking pitcher Edwin Escobar to a deal. This news was first reported by Luis Enrique Morales on Monday night in Venezuela, where Escobar is currently pitching in the Winter Leagues. The deal was also reported by several outlets in Japan, where Escobar had pitched for the last six seasons.
Escobar, a former Top-100 prospect, last pitched in the big leagues in 2016 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 25 games and posting a 7.23 ERA. He has spent the last seven seasons pitching in Japan, including the last six with the Yokohama Bay Stars. In 58 total appearances between the Japanese and Venezuelan Winter League, Escobar has a 4-2 record with a 3.33 ERA, striking out 46 batters in 51.1 innings of work.
It is unclear what type of contract Escobar signed, but in all likelihood he will come to spring training with an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Cubs’ bullpen. According to Bleacher Nation’s report, Escobar is also notable as being a teammate of pitcher Shota Imanaga who is expected to come to the big leagues in 2024 and has been repeatedly connected to free agency rumors about him coming to play for the Cubs .