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Astros, Rockies Had Interest In Edwin Encarnacion

By Mark Polishuk | June 16, 2019 at 10:53pm CDT

Moving as much of Edwin Encarnacion’s salary as possible was the Mariners’ prime incentive in finding a trade partner for the slugger, which is why the Yankees ultimately won the bidding.  Other teams were also checking in with the M’s about Encarnacion, though ultimately weren’t as willing as New York was to cover as much salary, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand tweets.  We heard earlier today about the Rays’ interest, and Feinsand reports that the Astros “were also actively involved, with the Rockies in the mix to a lesser extent.”

Encarnacion would certainly have beefed up a first base/DH mix that has been Houston’s only real offensive weak spot this season, as both Yuli Gurriel and Tyler White have posted below-average numbers.  Then again, young Yordan Alvarez’s hot start has created optimism that the Astros could address that DH need from within, and the Astros are seemingly more in need of pitching than they are of another big bat (then again, the same could’ve been said of the Yankees).

In terms of taking on salary, Jason Martinez of Roster Resource has the Astros projected for a luxury tax number of just under $189.5MM, well below the $206MM Competitive Balance Tax threshold.  Since the Yankees ended up adding only $3.4MM in extra luxury tax funds in the Encarnacion trade, on paper it would seem like Houston would certainly have taken on a similar financial obligation and still had enough money left over to acquire pitching without crossing the CBT line.  Of course, it’s possible other factors were part of any Houston/Seattle talks. Perhaps the Mariners wanted more to trade Encarnacion within the AL West; maybe the two sides just couldn’t agree on a suitable prospect to change hands in a deal.

Colorado would’ve been more of a curious fit for Encarnacion, which likely explains their “lesser” degree of interest.  Without a DH spot on offer, the Rockies would have had to play Encarnacion at first base every day, which might have been a tough ask of a 36-year-old who has spent the bulk of his time as a designated hitter over the last nine seasons.  (Encarnacion did start at first base 45 times for the Mariners this year, though still with 19 DH starts to keep him well-rested.)

Adding Encarnacion to first base would have also required a shift back to second base for Daniel Murphy, who has been a decidedly subpar defensive second baseman throughout his entire career.  The Rockies might have been considering whether the fielding dropoff would have been worth the risk, since Murphy’s bat might have at least sparked some type of positive help from the second base spot.  No team in baseball has gotten less production (-1.0 bWAR) than the Rockies out of their second basemen in 2019.

Then again, Murphy has yet to really catch fire at the plate himself, hitting only .278/.324/.463 with five homers over 176 PA, while missing four weeks with a fractured finger.  As the Rockies look towards the trade deadline, the easier solution to their second base situation might be to simply acquire an actual second baseman as an upgrade over the Ryan McMahon/Brendan Rodgers/Garrett Hampson mix, rather than move Murphy over and obtaining a new first baseman.

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Colorado Rockies Houston Astros Seattle Mariners Edwin Encarnacion

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View Comments (33)
Post a Comment

33 Comments

  1. Tom E. Snyder

    6 years ago

    I’m glad the Astros didn’t get him.

    5
    Reply
    • jh8913

      6 years ago

      Me too let’s go yanks!

      2
      Reply
    • mustang

      6 years ago

      That makes 3 of us.

      2
      Reply
      • c ya

        6 years ago

        Mustang, 4 of us

        2
        Reply
        • shawn hemp

          6 years ago

          This dude looks ridiculous with no beard. The yanks need to do away with their personal grooming rule so these guys can be comfortable. It’s 2019 ffs

          Reply
    • Unclenolanrules

      6 years ago

      As an Astros fan, I am glad the Yankees got him.

      3
      Reply
      • Bocephus

        6 years ago

        Yankees fans must think he’s a two way player. Houston is gonna score a crap load of runs against that Yankees pitching, and errors from that outfield defense. Can’t wait.

        Reply
        • costanza

          6 years ago

          The only Yankees OF that struggles defensively just get sent to AAA.

          Reply
        • Bocephus

          6 years ago

          Stanton in LF equals comic gold, and mayhem.

          Reply
    • jdgoat

      6 years ago

      If I remember correctly he always raked in Houston as a member of the Jays. Those Crawford boxes might’ve been a perfect fit.

      Reply
  2. throwinched10

    6 years ago

    Mariners wanted another team to take on more of Encarnacion’s contract. Apparently the Astros and Rays had better offers but the Yankees were willing to take on more money.
    Why does the money matter? Edwin is a FA after this season and it’s not like the Mariners will be buyers at the deadline.

    Reply
    • muskie73

      6 years ago

      Edwin Encarnacion’s contract includes a 2020 team option for $20 million, or a $5 million buyout.

      If Encarnacion were a free agent at season’s end, and eligible for a qualifying offer, would a club extend that qualifying offer (which last offseason was $17.9 million)?

      If so, under the current contact would his club exercise the 202o team option for a net $15 million?

      In their earlier acquisition of Encarnacion, the Mariners received money to cover part of his salary.

      Reply
      • Shawn McLaughlin 2

        6 years ago

        Not to mention Cleveland’s competetive balance pick, # 76. Which they used to grab SP, Isaiah Campbell from Arkansas

        Reply
      • Polish Hammer

        6 years ago

        You mentioned they got money in an earlier deal but left out the specifics, so while technically you’re not wrong it’s very misleading.

        Tampa Bay sent $5 million to Seattle, and the Mariners sent $6 million to Cleveland.

        Reply
  3. Benjamin560

    6 years ago

    Should’ve ponied up more salary relief. Nobody met the Mariners asking price except the Yankees. And honestly I wished they would have. It seems like it’s never a fair trade with the Yanks.

    Reply
  4. JustDoYourJob

    6 years ago

    Daniel Murphy isn’t hitting for much power, true and he’s not good defensively at second base, true, yet his overall batting average and run production are very good considering how he started the year and being injured. He (as well as Ian Desmond) are pretty hot right now and have been for a while. Colorado’s problems offensively, yes, are second base and ugh, when Raimel Tapia has to start. It would also be great if David Dahl would show power like he did late last season. He’s hitting great yet his power is just not there.

    Reply
  5. chuckster

    6 years ago

    I find it interesting that the Yanks would not pony up an extra $2 million to beat teh Brave’s offer for Keuchel, yet will take on some of the salary for a player they don’t exactly need. I will enjoy watching this team crush dingers but we need pitching too.

    Reply
    • PinstripedPride

      6 years ago

      Likely because Cashman has his eye on a better pitcher than Keuchel. Hopefully someone like Boyd or Stroman.

      2
      Reply
      • Yankeedynasty

        6 years ago

        Stroman is Sonny Gray 2.0. I would like Boyd though, and I think Scherzer could be great. Would Frazier, Andujar and Albert Abreu get it done?

        Reply
        • Bocephus

          6 years ago

          Why would Washington want two sub par defensive players, besides their outfield is a strength. Andujar might never return completely to 100%, plus they can re-sign Rendon.

          Reply
        • Polish Hammer

          6 years ago

          Stroman is Archer 2.0 IMO…

          Reply
        • geejohnny

          6 years ago

          Great comparison. Talented arm but a head not always in control. Pirates are finding that out now.

          Reply
        • Polish Hammer

          6 years ago

          Both are victims of their own hype, and very overrated IMO.

          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          6 years ago

          Marcus Stroman is a GB generating pitcher who doesn’t rely on the strikeout at all. Couldn’t be any different than Archer. Similar profile to a Sonny Gray. Not all that dissimilar to Dallas Keuchel either except he throws harder than Keuchel. If anyone is expecting Stro to turn into an ace then they’re setting themselves up for failure. He’s a very good #3 or maybe a lower end 2.

          Reply
  6. S24s37

    6 years ago

    Why is it that in every other trade we heard the Mariners were willing eat more money to get better return but on EE it’s the just want to save money. Either the Mariners cant make up there mind or the reporters cant keep there story’s straight.

    3
    Reply
  7. charlesk

    6 years ago

    Gonna be fun watching E3 embarrass Toronto’s front office all summer…. where is Kendry Morales? And how has Josh Donaldson been playing lately? Yankees-Braves World Series? Maybe they’ll steal Stroman and Giles from Shapkins? Who did Atkins trade for with upside to help with the “rebuild”?

    Reply
    • OilCanLloyd

      6 years ago

      Thornton

      Reply
  8. astros_fan_84

    6 years ago

    I thought EE would be a fit for the Astros, but he wasn’t a must have because he can’t play everyday defense. I would like to see a first base upgrade. However, my number one interest is pitching.

    Reply
    • Cole Shepherd

      6 years ago

      I think Gurriel is more valuable to this teams W/L than you think he is.

      Reply
  9. BobbyJohn

    6 years ago

    Murphy has hit .359/.388/.565 over his last 24 games. He just needed to get healthy.

    The McMahon/Rodgers platoon thing isn’t doing either of them any favors, though.

    Reply
  10. Roxman

    6 years ago

    Let’s see here. The Rox now have a need for 2B, well, they let a pretty good 2B go to FA. Plus, they have major bullpen problems, they let a great RP go to FA and both FA signed with the Yankees. That’s where I have a problem with things.

    1
    Reply
  11. OilCanLloyd

    6 years ago

    Smoak can be had. Depending on the prospect, the Jays would pick up most of salary.

    Reply
  12. a-a-a-astros

    6 years ago

    Astros have always liked him but not a need. Can’t understand this trade for the Yankees. When you get to the playoffs you have to have pitchers to win. Yankees need pitchers don’t get it.

    Reply

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