it's official -- the Anaheim Angels have signed Kelvim Escobar to a three-year, $18.75 million contract (lefty broke the news first). The decision will have a number of effects. First, the Jays will now take the $5 million they had offered Escobar and put it towards the team's remaining purchases: another starter (preferably a solid #2), bullpen help and/or veteran infield depth. Second, Escobar was a Type-A free agent, which means the Jays get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of the 2004 draft as well as the Angels' 2nd-round pick next June. Finally, Escobar will be pitching for neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox the next three years, which has to be considered a bonus for the Blue Jays -- they would not have liked to lose a talented starter to their divisional rivals. The news is unsurprising and will surely foster controversy: should the Jays have tried harder to bring Escobar back? Should they have tried to match the Angels' offer? Or are they better off without the enigmatic, frustrating right-hander? Adios, Kelvim.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20031122110405999