Angels acquire former All-Star infielder in trade

Help is on the way for the Los Angeles Angels’ battered infield.

The Angels announced on Friday that they have acquired veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar and cash considerations from the New York Mets in exchange for minor league pitching prospects Landon Marceaux and Coleman Crow .

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Mets will pay all but the minimum on Escobar’s contract (he is making $9.5 million this season).

The 34-year-old Escobar, an All-Star in 2021 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has not been much of a needle-mover lately. He had hit just .236 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 40 plate appearances for the Mets this year. But Escobar is also a respected veteran who can play a trio of infield positions (second base, third base, and shortstop).

That is music to the Angels’ ears, as they just lost one of their most versatile infielders for the campaign. Anthony Rendon is also on the injured list yet again (ditto rookie shortstop phenom Zach Neto), meaning Escobar should get plenty of playing time right off the bat in Anaheim.