MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins avoided arbitration with infielder Eduardo Escobar on Thursday night, signing him to a $4.85 million contract for the 2018 season, according to a Major League source.
The Twins, however, have not announced the signing of Escobar, who made $2.6 million last season. He's coming off a breakout year in which he hit .254/.309/.449 with 21 homers and 16 doubles in 129 games. The 29-year-old Venezuelan also had an impressive stint at third base in Miguel Sano's absence late in the year.
With Friday's deadline to exchange figures with arbitration-eligible players looming, the Twins have five players eligible for arbitration: right-handers Kyle Gibson, Thomas Pressly and Trevor May; infielder Ehire Adrianza; and outfielder Robbie Grossman.
Even after exchanging figures with players, clubs can reach agreements to avoid going to an arbitration hearing unless they employ a file-and-trial policy. The Twins haven't been to an arbitration hearing since 2006, with Kyle Lohse, and avoided arbitration with Pressly last year despite exchanging figures.
Minnesota's payroll is roughly $90 million, with nine players currently under contract for next season.