Espinal and the Blue Jays agreed on a one-year, $2.1 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The 28-year-old infielder busted onto the scene in 2022, batting .267 with seven homers, 51 RBI, 51 runs and six stolen bases over 135 games in a season during which he made his first All Star team. Espinal will likely operate as a utility option in 2023 with Whit Merrifield expected to be the Jays' primary second baseman, and he could start at multiple spots across the infield.