Free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion will hit the market in search of as many as five guaranteed years at as much as $25MM annually, his agent Paul Kinzer tells TSN. Clubs have already been in touch about the first baseman and DH, who ranks second on MLBTR’s list of the top fifty free agents.
As Kinzer notes, the market will dictate Encarnacion’s ultimate price. One major factor could be whether National League teams will join their American League competitors in pursuing him. “He proved this year that he is a solid first baseman and I think that will make him attractive to National League teams as well,” said Kinzer. Of course, it’s fair to wonder whether those organizations will believe he can man the position over the life of such a lengthy contract.
The agent opined that there could be 11 teams in pursuit of Encarnacion. We’ve already heard that the Blue Jays are making a play to retain him, and Kinzer tells WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford that he also sees the division-rival Red Sox as a great fit. Encarnacion loves hitting in Boston, says Kinzer, and also likes the idea of stepping into the sizable shoes of fellow Dominican David Ortiz. The Astros and Rangers are at least two other hypothetical landing spots, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes on Twitter.
It’s possible that things could move quickly, Kinzer also tells Bradford, with some teams having already shown a willingness to make an early splash. “Last year moved pretty quick on a lot of higher guys, so we’ll see,” he said. “The only thing this time is the collective bargaining agreement [defining the luxury tax threshold], how that works out.” Encarnacion, too, is ready to make a decision if the terms are to his liking. “If he feels comfortable and he feels like he’s treated fairly, he can pull the trigger fairly rapidly,” said Kinzer.
Since he’s obviously set to reject the Jays’ qualifying offer, any team signing Encarnacion will need to sacrifice a draft pick to add him — even Toronto, which would otherwise add a selection — but it’s certainly arguable that he’s a big enough piece that it won’t impact his earning power too significantly. Kinzer trumpets Encarnacion’s quiet but positive clubhouse presence, hard-working approach, conditioning and health. Teams will weigh all of these factors, along with his outstanding track record at the plate (.272/.367/.544 over his last five seasons), against his age and defensive limitations in deciding just how hard to push.
Red Sox need him
I wouldn’t say need. Yes, we’re losing Ortiz’s bat from the lineup but that lineup has a strong young core. It means we don’t need the most expensive bat out there.
EE is going to get paid, he is in a perfect spot, he can still play first and he is one of the leading power hitters available. Besides that, he won’t require a long term deal, I can see him getting 4/96 with an option. When you have the Jays. Sox and Yanks looking at you the price goes up.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he resigned with Toronto
This time last year, weren’t we all talking about how Bautista’s strength and conditioning was better than EE’s which is why is was a better bet to get a long term contract?
I never quite understood all of the strength and conditioning arguments people were throwing out there back in Spring. I don’t care how “in shape” a player is, signing a 37 year old to a 5 year deal is just not smart. Plus Jose has a very lengthy injury history and is useless in the OF without his arm, which he hasn’t had in almost 2 full seasons now. Even signing EE until he’s 39 is a pretty big gamble, especially since most of his value comes from his elite power.
If the jays don’t sign Edwin, cancel your roger services
Lol I remember a lot people saying the same thing in regards to Dionner Navarro and Melky Cabrera and David Price. Funny how those worked out. While EE has been dominant and is a game changer at his best he isn’t the entire team. If the Jays don’t re-sign him but put a more complete team together I’m fine with that as well.
Honestly, the Blue Jays ought to pass on both Eddie E and Joey Bats. They could instead sign a younger Cespedes and have him be one of their ticket selling stars for time to come. That way, they receive maybe not the same bat that is found in Edwin, but a more balanced and dynamic player in all facets of the game. That being said, who knows if Cespedes’ bumped walk rate is for real, but he won’t have to really play center with Pillar out there, keeping his cannon on the corners.
Like the fit for Cespedes in Toronto. Younger than EE/JoeyBatts, and much better defensively. Could be a plus defender in right, with a great arm. Would be a better sign, for similar AAV to EE/JoeyB.
Cespedes refuses to play right field.
It makes no sense for the Sox to sign EE long term AND give up a draft pick that they highly value. Assuming Moncada and Swihart start at AAA they still have : 12 spots taken by:
1B/3B Hanley, Panda, Shaw
2B/SS/U Pedey, Boegy, Holt
OF Betts, JBJ, Benintendi, Young
C Leon, Vasquez
They cover: DH by using their reserves — Shaw: (1b/3B), Holt (U) and Young (4th OF–he kills LHP) This also allows them to DH Pedey, Boegy, Hanley and Betts to keep them fresh. Boegarts ( really wore down and slumped the 2d half) — Hanley & Pedey aren’t getting any younger and all the regulars have a better chance to stay rested and healthy if they DH when Holt plays 2B/SS/3B, Young the OF or Shaw plays 1B/3b.
This also allows them to carry a late inning base stealer to use in close games.
For 1yr they could sign Morales or Beltran or trade for a DH if the offense doesn’t click.
He’s getting 4/120, maybe 5 years. He’s not an all or nothing hitter like Chris Davis. Not only would several teams want him, I believe they all have the utmost faith in any future production.
No team is going to want to shell out $30 million for EE in his 4th/5th years when he would be 38-39. His only real valuable tool is his bat, so once that starts to go, his value will too.
You’re probably right about his 4th and 5th years, but he is one of few elite offensive power forces in the game. I still think someone overpays, if only in his first three years. You look at what Cespedes received after one hot stretch before showing it wasn’t a fluke. EE, on the other hand has been crushing for several years now.
No team will want to, but one will to get him especially if it comes down to a bidding war between two teams in the same division like the Rangers and Astros or Red Sox and Blue Jays. They’ll pay to get him and a bit more to keep him from the other team.
Exactly my point
The reds really messed up. EE for Scott Rolen way. That’s Arrieta and Strop for clevenger and Scott Feldman. Arrieta is way more lopsided. I don’t see this guy getting 125 mil for 5 years. Maybe 3 years 80 mil. He’s 33 supposedly. If Batista wants a 5 years contract for 200 mil. He needs to quit life and baseball right now. EE is gonna get a cespedes deal 3 75-85. No opt out and its gonna be with the Rangers.
I would of course like for the Astros to get EE for 4 years and under $25 a year, but I don’t think that’s possible. He’ll get a coup with this free agent crop. Go 5yr/$112.5 at an annual salary of $27.5 and get the deal done now. If he’ll pull the trigger fast then give him what he wants and then some and be done with it. Also, think about front loading the contract so when the young guys need to get paid we can still afford most of them. Even give him an opt out after 2-3 years if he wants it, but don’t front load it in that case.
The free agent crop in 2 years is McCutchen, Adam Jones, Kimbrel, Andrew Miller, Quintana, Kinsler, Molina, Brantley, Dozier, etc.
The free agent crop in 3 years is King Felix, Bumgarner, Sale, Hamels, Goldschmidt, Altuve, Porcello, Gordon, Abreu, Hanley, Eaton, Moore, etc.
Obvious many of these guys won’t get to free agency, but an opt out isn’t a horrible situation.
I would of course like for the Astros to get EE for 4 years and under $25 a year, but I don’t think that’s possible. He’ll get a coup with this free agent crop. Go 5yr/$112.5 at an annual salary of $27.5 and get the deal done now. If he’ll pull the trigger fast then give him what he wants and be done with it. Also, think about front loading the contract so when the young guys need to get paid we can still afford most of them. Even give him an opt out after 2-3 years if he wants it, but don’t front load it in that case.
The free agent crop in 2 years is McCutchen, Adam Jones, Kimbrel, Andrew Miller, Quintana, Kinsler, Molina, Brantley, Dozier, etc.
The free agent crop in 3 years is King Felix, Bumgarner, Sale, Goldschmidt, Altuve, Hamels, Porcello, Gordon, Abreu, Hanley, Eaton, Moore, etc.
Obvious many of these guys won’t get to free agency, but an opt out isn’t a horrible situation.
https://gametimesportsnetwork.com/2016/11/09/its-simple-edwin-encarnacion-needs-to-be-priority-1-for-the-red-sox/
Sox need this man