Toronto Blue Jays: Five Landing Spots for Edwin Encarnacion
Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits an two RBI single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
With the recent moves the Toronto Blue jays have made, where will Edwin Encarnacion end up?
It certainly appears that the Edwin Encarnacion era in Toronto is over. The Jays added Kendrys Morales to a three year deal this week. Morales is a switch hitter who can play first and DH for the club. A switch-hitting, albeit not as good version, of Encarnacion.
The Jays certainly tried to retain Encarnacion, but it just didn’t work out. I can’t see Toronto signing both Morales and then Encarnacion too, when Encarnacion is going to be better off DH’ing more and more as he gets older.
Instead of spending big on David Price last off-season, they signed Marco Estrada and J.A. Happ. Now it appears that this season they are taking a similar approach to their offense with Morales and going into the international market and signing Lourdes Gouriel Jr. They also appear to have interest in Steve Pearce and Josh Reddick.
Morales gives the Jays a different look than they had with Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. He’ll be a switch hitter with power in a lineup that was very right-handed last season.
Don’t feel bad for Encarnacion though. He will end up with plenty of money in this free agent market as an impact bat. He’ll find a home, but it could take a while, perhaps during the Winter Meetings or after.
So where will the slugger end up? Here are five potential landing spots for the free agent.
Nov 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski during the MLB general managers meeting at the Omni Scottsdale Resort. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Red Sox
Boston would be a logical landing spot for Encarnacion. The Red Sox have Hanley Ramirez at first who played well there. They also have a hole at DH with the retirement of David Ortiz who already gave his blessing to the signing of Encarnacion during last season.
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Encarnacion would be a great fit in Fenway Park. For his career, he pulls the ball a little over half of the time. With the Green Monster right there, it would certainly be a nice target for him.
The issue for the Red Sox is that it would make them quite right-handed. Encarnacion, Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts are all right-handed. Jackie Bradley Jr and Travis Shaw would be the only left-handed threats.
Boston would have to hand out another long-term deal for another bat when they have prospects like Sam Travis and Yoan Moncada coming when they need pitching more than another bat in the order.
For Dave Dombrowski, he has to figure out whether it’s best for the Red Sox to sign another big bat or maybe make his club slightly deeper by spreading that money around like Blue Jays appear to be doing.
Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros
Like the Cubs, the Houston Astros tanked and rebuilt. Like the Cubs, those young prospects are starting to pay dividends. However, unlike the Cubs, they haven’t spent big in the free agent market to add to that young core. The Cubs added guys like John Lackey and Ben Zobrist to help put them over the top. Now it’s time for the Astros to follow suit before they face the possibility of guys like Dallas Keuchel and Carlos Correa getting quite expensive.
The Astros weak spot last year was first base. Prospects A.J. Reed and Tyler White weren’t able to get the job done after the team non-tendered Chris Carter. Marwin Gonzalez ended up starting at first base a bit but he is more of a utility player than a guy who should be starting everyday on a contending team.
Before you add in arbitration raises, the Astros only have a little over $38 million committed in payroll for the upcoming season. Houston is a big market, certainly one that can help the owners support a more of a higher payroll team. The club has a nice young core and it’s time to start adding those veteran pieces in. Encarnacion could certainly be a part of that in Houston.
Oct 1, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Fan displays a sign for New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) (not pictured) during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees
The Yankees have some pitching needs to fill between their closer and the rotation, but there is a way they could add Encarnacion to their lineup as well. If they deal Brian McCann for prospects/young players, they could take some of that savings and put that towards adding Encarnacion’s thump into the middle of the order.
He could be that veteran guy around what’s becoming a nice young core in New York. Gary Sanchez may win AL Rookie of the Year. Didi Gregorius is starting to blossom. Aaron Judge had a cup of coffee and showed power before his season ended.
Greg Bird is coming back to man first base, however, he is coming off an torn labrum in his shoulder and we just don’t know how it’s going to hold up. Encarnacion could DH and play some first for the Yankees next year and beyond. It protects them if Bird still has trouble instead of turning to Tyler Austin, Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley (unless he is non-tendered).
The Yankees weren’t that far away from contention last year even with a weak offense. The addition of Encarnacion could give the club a boost and get them back in the playoff picture in 2017.
Nov 8, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst (right) and Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels during the MLB general managers meeting at the Omni Scottsdale Resort. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Rangers
The other Texas team could be someone that goes after the services of Edwin Encarnacion. Mitch Moreland is a free agent. They don’t appear to have much interest in using Joey Gallo and when they did he struggled hitting major league pitching last season. Josh Hamilton isn’t walking back through the door as the player he used to be and neither is Prince Fielder who will probably never play again after neck surgery.
Carlos Beltran, who they added at the trade deadline last season is on the free agent market as is Ian Desmond who turned his career around. That’s a lot off offense to lose, even with having Jonathan Lucroy for a full season next year. Because of this, Texas could use some additional offensive punch in their order.
A middle of the order of Lucroy, Adrian Beltre, Rougned Odor and Encarnacion with promising outfielder Nomar Mazara would be a nice chunk of their order.
The Rangers have some other holes to fill, specifically with their rotation after Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. Maybe taking away Encarnacion from the team that knocked them out of the playoffs the past two years will help push them back over the top.
Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The New York Mets celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching a wild-card playoff berth after a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets
This isn’t as farfetched as you would think, but certainly the New York Mets could be in play for Encarnacion. Yoenis Cespedes and Neil Walker are free agents. If both leave, that’s a ton of offense to lose. David Wright may not be healthy next year, and even if he is, he can’t be counted on. Everyone else is left-handed except for Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera.
Their outfield with Michael Conforto, Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce are all lefties. Throw in Brandon Nimmo who is also left-handed. Lucas Duda (also left-handed) is penciled back in to play first. However, they could non-tender him. If they sign Encarnacion after they tender Duda, they could deal him for some pitching help. A team like Tampa Bay could use a first baseman and some power and has some pitching could be a nice match.
Yes, they don’t know if he can perform in New York and yes they don’t have the DH, but Sandy Alderson believes in power. Having a first four in your order of Reyes, Cabrera, Bruce and Encarnacion with their pitching staff if healthy and the Mets could get right back into the playoffs for a third straight year, something the franchise has never done.
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