The draft pick forfeiture that is attached to Edwin Encarnacion has been hampering his market, reports ESPN’s Jayson Stark. The lack of a draft pick attached to Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday made them more attractive short-term options for the Astros and Yankees, and Stark calls Encarnacion a “textbook case for why the union made eliminating first-round draft-pick compensation such a top priority” in the recent CBA negotiations.
Here’s the latest on Encarnacion’s market…
- Toronto’s signing of Steve Pearce “certainly” spells the end of Encarnacion’s time in Toronto, tweets Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. On paper, it’s possible to see Pearce, Encarnacion, Kendrys Morales and Justin Smoak coexisting on the same roster, but certainly there’s some redundancy there.
- The Indians have checked in on Encarnacion, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Cleveland definitely has a need at first base with Mike Napoli hitting free agency, and Encarnacion could split time there and at DH with Carlos Santana. However, financial constraints are always a factor for the Indians, and while they’re coming off a deep World Series run, spending at the likely levels that are necessary to sign Encarnacion would represent a significant departure from past tendencies for Cleveland.
- ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports that the Rangers are also a team to watch on Encarnacion, noting that GM Jon Daniels has a history of acting opportunistically when a player’s market changes. Bowden, too, calls Cleveland a sleeper team in the Encarnacion sweepstakes. He also floats the idea of Encarnacion following the path of Yoenis Cespedes from last winter: signing a three-year deal with a high annual value and an opt-out clause after the first year. Of course, the difference in age between Cespedes and Encarnacion is notable; Cespedes re-entered the free-agent market in advance of his age-31 season, while Encarnacion would be doing so prior to his age-35 campaign.
It’s becoming a game of musical chairs. There aren’t enough seats and someone will be left standing. Who is going to be this years Desmond?
I don’t buy that the qualifying offer is what is hurting EE.
I don’t think teams want to commit $100 million to a DH when there are comparable short term additions out there.
Agreed. I don’t think they want to give him 4 to 5 years with that much money considering his age
I also agree. I think that teams are looking at the DH as more of a tool for roster flexibility and assume players will eventually be forced to slot in.
I was about to say the same thing. Especially considering the clear bevy of interest that was directed towards the likes of Beltran and Holliday, It seems teams are finally wisening up to the fact that a hitter with EE’s profile (not great defense, mid-30s, lots of red flags from last season) shouldn’t get more than 2-3 years at a time on a contract. As the saying goes, you’re paying for past production with free agency, and maybe teams don’t want to anymore.
I’m sorry but CLE signing Encarnacion is just a bridge too far. Tribe wouldn’t even be that bold in a parallel universe.
Theoretically, if Encarnacion overplayed the market to the point where no one was willing to commit much of anything to him a la Kendrys Morales a couple years ago, the Indians MIGHT get him on a one-year deal. But, in all likelihood, you are right.
Every year, the Indians trot out some rumor like this to keep the fan base engaged. Every year people get excited and sports radio in Cleveland talks about it for a couple days. Every year they do something much more affordable……and usually, it ends up being a better deal in the long run.
So teams that still can sign Edwin:
-Houston
-New York
-Toronto
Texas, Washington, idk
Boston ?
Boston can’t afford him because they want to stay below the cap. Very harsh penalties for 3rd year over.
New York can buy won’t they don’t have anywhere to play him now with bird holliday unless they trade Gardner and attempt holliday in LF and bird 1b and EE dh
It sounds like the door is slightly open for EE in Toronto, but no longer at 4 years and 80M, now maybe 2 years.
Bautista is going to get the short end of the stick teams are now less likely to sign him to a 1 year deal knowing they won’t receive the draft pick at the end of his contract.
Do you really think he would have rated a QO at the end of his next deal? I think that’s wishful thinking.
I think teams would be willing to sign him on a one year deal knowing they could’ve got a comp pick back, now that they can’t is he really worth your top draft pick? Probably not
It feels like EE’s market is falling quite a bit. Houston remains one of the most likely candidates, but without many teams (Blue Jays, Boston, Yankees beforehand) with significant interest, I can’t see a bidding war. 4/92 now seems like a stretch.
What does he play in Houston? Is Beltran not going to fill the DH role?
Mostly 1st? Err, oh yeah, wow. Unless they traded Bregman and slid Gurriel over to third, but even then, I don’t think they want EE playing first for 140 games a year. Shoot, the Astros are deep, I can’t even imagine that as a good fit after the Beltran signing unless they somehow manage to pull off a SP trade.
EE might be this years Trumbo or Cruz, he could have to take a one year contract. Bautista might be in the same boat.
Dan Duquette likes this!
This is starting to look ugly for EE at this rate he probably won’t get the contract he’s looking for. Every that had interest has kinda filled that 1B/DH hole, I can see either Boston, Houston, or possibly Cleveland if desperate enough to sign him.
I don’t think EE was ever going to get the contract he was looking for….a crafty team may be able to swoop in and sign him for a 1yr…not necessarily cheap contract.
I suppose this is also the result of the fallouts of contracts like the one Pujols signed.
Not to mention Prince Fielder, Arod, Josh Hamilton, Choo, Big Panda, the list goes on and on.
Feels to me that once his market drops enough Boston jumps in and grabs him.
Is his defense at 1B already so bad that NL isn’t an option, or is it a situation where you don’t want to be stuck with him for 4 years without a DH position?
I loved having him play 1B last year, not sure how his body will hold up in a couple years playing D everyday though
Yea, underrated 1b defense.
Mets should trade both Granderson and Bruce (one for prospects and one for a reliever). Then they should try and sign EE to deal similar to what Cespedes signed last year, 2 or 3 years at big money with an opt out after year one. Resign Blevins and sign a fourth outfielder and they’re done.
no they should not.
Chances are slim but I’d keep an eye on Baltimore. Davis playing some RF isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Plus Angelos isn’t getting any younger. Chances are slim but could something there.
I don’t see why not. Instead of Trumbo, they can go with Edwin instead.
Yeah but Trumbo wouldn’t cost them a pick, is younger, should have a cheaper AAV, and can play RF in a pinch, albeit badly.
EE is a much better player than Trumbo who had a career year last season and is very likely not to repeat that. EE is older but if his market is not developing as they though, Orioles need to jump in and get him. Draft pick loss has not mattered to them in the past. I doubt it matters much now.
Don’t want to see EE in the AL east unless with the Jays. If he leaves I hope some team is dumb enough to sign him in the NL. Can you imagine him in COL? He could play 1B there for 2 years and then trade him back to the AL in year 3
I think it was the one year deals that made Holliday and Beltran better short term options. EE isn’t interested in a one year deal. Technically, that makes him a long term option. He’s a better comparison to Trumbo and Napoli, who have yet to sign also. Napoli has no pick attached, but he does want 3 years, much like EE’s minimum.
Too bad the Jays signed Morales for 3 years. If it was 2, I could see EE playing the bulk of the time at 1B and then DH for the last 2 years of the deal. His price is dropping I think. Jays say they are out but that could be a “Smoak” screen. Kinda wish they signed Holliday for a year now to DH and then a EE signing would work. If they have the money to spend I would offer 2 years at a higher AAV than what he will get over 4 years and maybe two option years and/or an opt out after year one and two. Bautista’s price is dropping as well. I have no problem bringing him back at a reasonable price to play 1B and some RF. Jays have to get creative. I would like to see one of them back despite the Pearce signing. He’s versatile. They will find ways to get him in the line up for 130 games if he stays healthy. Can’t expect 162 out of him
Jays are out. Edwin is going to the Rangers. the only hold up is the Rangers also want an of and another starter and don’t want to forfeit a first and trade from them prospect pool.
Yeah it’s being reported in Toronto by Steve Adams that the Jays are out of the running on Edwin. They’ll platoon Pearce and Smoke at 1B, with Morales at DH. I’m ok with this, if we sign Fowler and trade for Mcutchan and add a big piece to th bullpen
Perhaps the White Sox will switch gears and decide to retool this offseason (again, lol) by considering adding players like DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion and C Wellington Castillo. Perhaps they can be the fashionable “mystery ream” that always seems to pop up during the winter meetings.
Keeping Chris Sale and Jose Abreu rather than trading them could facilitate that retool even quicker, especially if Jerry Reinsdorf would be willing to open his purse strings before sailing off into the sunset. He could start this season by signing Wellington Castillo to a 2-3 year deal until their overall #2 prospect, catcher Zack Collins is ready for prime time.
Signing 33-year old free agent DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion to a 4-year deal would also facilitate the retool and potentially make the White Sox a solid contender in 2017 and beyond. His asking price keeps going down as other contenders are now looking to sign cheaper and shorter term options, in part because of the higher penalties now in effect for exceeding the luxury tax threshold. This had to influence the Yankees decision to sign Matt Holliday earlier today and why the Red Sox are now considering options like Mike Napoli and Pedro Alvarez to replace the retired David Ortiz at DH.
Nah they need to sell, that would be he makingnof the Phillies 2.0, without the championship
EE had his chance to get paid. He got greedy and ow it’s going to bite him in the ass. Good on Atkins and Shapiro for pulling the offer. Pearce/Smoak at 1st, Morales at DH. I’d like to see Pompey + whatever from the farm for Braun and 16 million.
Wow I feel sorry for you. You really bought the Davidi story about the Shapiro offer for 4 years and $80 million! Davidi is the worst reporter in Toronto. Shapiro uses him to plant stories like that and the Bautista one in the spring that he wanted 5 years at $150 million. Shapiro never had any intention of signing either player. Rogers counts their profits in the Billions and could easily afford to buy a World Series but they don’t care. Only concern is with satisfying their greed for money.
cards 3 at 77 mil
32 year one 30 year two 15 year three
Does Rogers think they own the Leafs? Fans won’t turn out to the Skydome to watch a team that doesn’t contend. They won’t turn out to watch a team that doesn’t try to win.
Replacing All-Stars with scrubs = a lot of empty seats in Skydome in 2017.
Amen to that brother!
Just a theory. What if the Brewers sign Edwin. Move Eric Thames to the outfield and trade Braun for some pitching. Just imagine the numbers Edwin could put up at Miller Park. And trade Braun for a front of the rotation starter like maybe, just maybe jump into the mix for Sale, Archer, and Gray. A Sale package could be Sale and David Robertson for Braun, Wily Peralta, Tyler Thornborg, and Brett Phillips