TODAY, 9:13pm: In further comments, Kinzer says that he does not expect a deal to be completed before the Winter Meetings, though he notes that could change if the right offer hits the table. (Via Mark Berman of FOX 26; Twitter links.)
While there has been some internet chatter suggesting that there’s a deal in place with the Astros, Kinzer denies the rumors. As Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweeted, there is nothing in place with Houston. Still, Kinzer does tell Berman that the Astros are a “great fit” from Encarnacion’s perspective, and acknowledges that there is interest from the team.
6:16pm: There’s “nothing imminent” on Encarnacion, Kinzer tells MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (links to Twitter). More than one team is still involved on the veteran slugger, per his agent, with multiple offers on the table.
The Astros and Yankees are believed still to be in the hunt, Morosi adds.
YESTERDAY: Edwin Encarnacion’s free agency may not last much longer, as the slugger’s agent, Paul Kinzer, told TSN’s Rick Westhead today that his client will probably agree to a contract later this week or early next week. Kinzer told Westhead that the Blue Jays remain in the picture and have been “showing Edwin the most love,” though the agent didn’t handicap any one team’s chances of getting a deal done. According to Kinzer, three teams have told him that they’re waiting for the resolution of the collective bargaining negotiations before making a formal offer. He added that two teams have made “serious” offers to Encarnacion already.
[Related: Edwin Encarnacion’s Free Agent Profile]
One team that doesn’t appear to be in the running for Encarnacion is the Red Sox, though, as WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford writes that a source has informed him that Boston “probably” won’t be a finalist for Encarnacion’s imposing bat. Boston remains focused on adding a shorter-term option to fill its DH vacancy, according to Bradford.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported earlier today that the Astros bid big on Yoenis Cespedes before he agreed to return to the Mets, and his colleague, Jerry Crasnick, added that the Astros are still a possible landing spot for Encarnacion (Twitter links). While a big bid on Cespedes doesn’t necessarily indicate that the ’Stros are willing to make a market-beating offer for Encarnacion, their willingness to make a competitive bid for a player that agreed to a $110MM deal does suggest that they can at least afford to make a legitimate play for Encarnacion.
It remains unclear which teams have made the aforementioned serious offers to Encarnacion. The Blue Jays reportedly offered Encarnacion about $80MM over four years earlier this month, but that offer seems light to constitute the “serious” adjective utilized by Kinzer, considering the agent’s previous comments implying that a five-year deal and/or a $25MM annual value both seemed reasonable. Furthermore, Kinzer tells Westhead that he hasn’t talked dollars with Blue Jays brass since that initial proposal. The Yankees have also been connected to Encarnacion on multiple occasions, and the Rangers have reportedly reached out to Kinzer as well, though the extent of Texas’ interest isn’t known at this time.
Encarnacion, like most agents, should be reasonably expected to end up with the highest bidder, but Kinzer did imply that there will be other factors at play when speaking to Westhead. “We won’t put any restrictions on any offer like years or anything,” he explained. “[Encarnacion is] going to decide where he’s comfortable. One of the things we have to look at is the big difference in the tax base between some of the teams that are interested. Plus, there’s a comfort level we need to consider.”
johncena2016
It’ll be the Astros or the Blue Jays. I’d say the Astros, seems just a better fit.
cpillar12
Especially given the “tax base” comment by the agent. Texas has no state income tax.
Brandon_K
Royals
zack0035
Just like Cespedes did Edwin will go back home to the team he knows best.
tbdavidh
Wouldn’t that mean Cespedes would have returned to Oakland considering that’s where he’s spent most of his MLB career so far?
ernestofigueroa87
Asfan27
Yup! As soon as he left the A’s they have a below .500 record wish they could have kept him but who knows when the A’s will be able to pay someone $100 million.
User 2997803866
Good grief. We all Cespedes is not the reason the A’s have a below .500 after they traded him. Give it a rest.
bravesfan1998
Him and Donaldson
User 2997803866
The Donaldson and Shark trades have been way more costly than Cespedes for Lester.
slider32
Those trades also show you that prospects take time to develop and produce at the major league level.
WhiteSox4ever
I think it’s 50-50 between Jays and Red Sox
MafiaBass
Did you read the article?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The reds? They need some protecting for votto. They need a 3B. Why not finish his career where it started.
Brandon Mason
The Astros or Rangers will sign him
JDSchneck
For Encarnacion’s sake I hope he chooses NY. He would have the best years of his career in that ballpark. The best division a Left Handed Power bat can dream of playing in is “the sandbox” AL East. You’ll never find more homeruns in another division.
juniorfelix
He’s a righty and he already plays in that division so I’m not sure much of this applies.
Nick4747
Ifv they didn’t just sign morales Toronto would be the best fit same division and their ballpark is better for right handed hitters.
Dmalsch22
Yankee stadium is not as easy to hit homers to left and left/center, they brought the same dimensions of Death Valley from the old stadium to the new one and the term is “bandbox” that being said his power plays in all stadiums but don’t expect Yankee stadium to boost his numbers
tbdavidh
Right handed. Minute Maid Park.
kiwimlbfan
No thank you.
davidcoonce74
Encarnacion bats right-handed.
tbdavidh
Hoping it’s the Astros.
beauvandertulip
If the Rangers don’t sign EE, then they sign Beltran, if the astros don’t sign EE, they sign Beltran. Pretty simple.
Enarxis
Bautista would fit in nicely with the Astros.
He has experience in 1B, 3B and both corner OF !!!
kwade26
And the Rangers hate him so I’m on board!
nattytom
No!
sngehl01
They aren’t hurting for a 3B or corner outfielder. He’s also struggled with health and inconsistency. No thanks.
Modified_6
The whole ‘flexibility’ thing only counts if someone is solid at several spots. Otherwise it’s just a thing for analysts to talk about trying to compare everyone to the Cubs. I’m all about utility guys, but they need to be good defensively.
I’m a Rangers/Giants fan. I’d love to see profar play a different spot almost every day next year and rotate the DH to let a different guy have rest.
The Oregonian
Except the Yankees are in on both of those names as well, especially Beltran.
vvadnala
Red Sox could go after Beltran. He’d be just what they’re looking for
aiden13
The Jays will NOT sign EE they gived that offer so the fan won’t say they did not try knowing he will not sign for 80m.
rivera42
Bingo! Unless Encarnacion gives Toronto a discount because he really wants to be there.
TheBoatmen
Well the reports did say that Toronto has shown him “the most love”. Does that mean they have offered the the most years and dollars? The Jays have been linked to no other first baseman. Unless they think that Morales and Smoak are going to work at first, it looks like they are confident that EE will resign. Basically it could be the same team as last year except you trade Saunders and Bautista for Morales and TBD. Most likely Fowler or Bruce or a dark horse trade for somebody like Solar. If they resign EE I would probably guess they would trade for an inexpensive outfielder who hasn’t broken out yet, somebody like an Avi Garcia. Same as what they did when they got Bautista and EE who needed a little Rogers Center to turn them into superstars.
CursedRangers
The article did mention that EE’s agent said that the Blue Jays have shown him the “most love”. But the end of the article it mentioned that his agent hasn’t talked to the Blue Jays brass since they made their first offer of $80M. Seems to contradict himself. Add in the tax comment and it seems that Houston or Texas must be in the running.
jasaka
Unless “most love” doesn’t refer to money but attention and desire to want to bring him back. Maybe they gave him one of those nba-style free agent meeting pitches.
aiden13
From a strong source , they will not sign EE
MB923
Who? Toronto?
STLKNICKS
Astros for sure. Add him to that lineup springer Altuve Correa Bergman McCann Reddick reed.
astrosfan4life
If the Astros sign him he will be replacing the awful AJ Reed.
STLKNICKS
AJ Reed dropped bombs in the minors and rebound towards the end. Not all power sluggers kill it off the bat( Chris Davis). Edwin would probably DH
padam
You guys forget Gurriel?
NineChampionsips
The angels are going to sign him to be their next Wells/Hamilton/Pujols albatross.
CursedRangers
Haha!
yeahhhjeets
Imagine if they really paid weaver ?? Dodged one
cmancoley
AMEN
James L. Carlson II
I think if EE signs with the Astros Reed gets packaged in a deal to help land a top of the rotation SP. Astros are in on Rich Hill as a possible FA pickup.
astrosfan4life
Unfortunately Reed doesn’t have much value anymore after last years absolutely disasterous MLB showing.
Orbit
You do realize he was a rookie last season, correct?
It’s called development. You have to wait for that to happen. What happened last year doesn’t mean the kid will be a .200 hitter his entire career.
Agree with the OP. If Houston signs EE, then package Reed and Martes and send them to Chicago for Sale. Make Bregman off limits
spartyon
You think Reed and Martes will get sale? That isn’t close to being enough and bregman will be needed to get sale.
padam
Sale and his sweet contact for those two? Not happening without Bergman.
astros_fan_84
Astros aren’t dealing Bregman. They have enough minor league prospects to make a deal. Not saying it will be Sale, but Bregman isn’t going anywhere.
cmancoley
Maybe Sonny Gray? Or even Corassco
krillin
I had a dream last night that I woke up and picked up my phone to see that he signed with the Yankees. Lets see if it was a prophetic dream lol.
jd396
I had a dream that my boss got appointed governor of Tennessee.
astrosfan4life
I had a dream that I was “hanging” alone with 3 hot porn stars. Then I unfortunately woke up and realized that’d I’m too fugly for even one of them!
vinscully16
Sox need pitching (acquire Sale or Verlander, please), good to see they’re not bogged down in acquiring another bat. Best of luck to EE, a class act and heck of a ball player.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
EE doesn’t make financial sense for the Red Sox. That would be better off finding someone for a shorter deal, considering what they’re going to have to pay Mookie, Benny, JBJ in just a few years,Plus I would like to see any offensive acquisition be a left-handed hitter
MB923
I don’t know how credible he is, but someone on Twitter named Brian Bilek tweeted that Encarnacino will be signing with the Astros today. Late last night he said Edwin Encarnacion will sign with the Astros tomorrow (meaning today). Not a verified source however, though his tweet has over 150 RT and Likes.
astrosfan4life
I hope he’s right!
MB923
Max Wildstein, a journalist who Is verified said he’s proven and it’s likely going to happen.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
With all the money in baseball right now with the players and owners, it’s not surprising that both sides want to wrap this up
Michael Macaulay-Birks
Sorry I posted this in the wrong thread
User 2997803866
If he lands in Houston it gives the Astros a ton of OF depth (signing EE pushes Gurriel to the OF). While it’s obvious Houston mismanaged themselves these past two years (most notably the Carlos Gomez trade), I’m glad to see them them start to go for it. The window is open but when arbitration kicks in for all of these younger players, that window will begin to close. That being said, they have to find some way to upgrade their rotation.
astrosfan4life
That or EE and Gurriel will split time at DH and 1B. I think their mentality is to field a team and bench of quality bats as much as possible, and playing time will be decided each day. I like this better than the last several years of fielding a team of guys who hit .220 with 30HRs, 50RBIs, and 200 Ks.
driftcat28 2
Personally am hoping the Yankees do not sign EE. I’d rather have Beltran or Holliday on a 1-2 year deal. They fit the youth movement much better. EE will cost too much and have signed for 4-5 years, most of which will be declining years. They’ve been through these signings already, no need for another.
NineChampionsips
He’s signing with Texas.
CursedRangers
I think that has a decent chance of happening. As a Ranger fan I would have mixed feelings about this. We did similar signings with Choo and then picked up Fielder. Both are expensive busts. But the big concern is would signing EE hurt the Rangers chances of resigning Darvish? Signing EE would push the Rangers budget to the top of what is realistic. Add in the somewhat depleted farm (due to all the big trades) and it could put Texas in a tough spot in 2-3 years.
tylerall5
Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I don’t see a place for EE in Houston. They have Yulieski without a position, a stacked infield minus first, and EE is by no means an everyday 1st baseman. Sure Gurriel can play corner outfield, but his defense will probably be atrocious. I just don’t think EE is a good signing for them.
patborders92
Why does everyone think he’s so bad defensively? He was a full time 1B the second half of last year and looked pretty good
stratcrowder
I agree. I like the path the Bombers are on, as is. In fact, I’m hoping we don’t sign any pricey free agents again and turn back to the farm. As far as EE goes, the Astros are getting him anyway. The guy will MASH in the middle of that lineup.
stroboy15
Astros with EE:
1. Springer CF
2. Reddick RF
3. Altuve 2B
4. Encarnacion 1B
5. Correa SS
6. Bregman 3B
7. McCann C
8. Gattis DH
9. Gurriel LF
I would wet my pants if I was a pitcher
astrosfan4life
Or maybe the high on base guy Aoki in LF and Gurriel at DH. I’m good with either way!
tbdavidh
Bump Reddick down to 7 and move everyone up a spot. There’s just no way the Astros bat Correa 5th. Especially after all those clutch hits last year. He’ll be back in the 3 or 4 hole.
texas2step
Well, if the regulars could be consistent. The organization has the reputation of cutting &/or trading players that are productive after leaving Houston.
Darth Paul
Good list but I would go…
1. Springer
2. Altuve
3. Correa
4. EE
5. Reddick
6. Bergman
7. McCann
8. Aoki
9. Gattis/Gurriel
astros_fan_84
Doesn’t matter the order. Hinch will tweak it daily. Point is, it’s a murder’s row, with legit options on the bench.
That said, I’m not sold on EE. Amazing bat yes, but the Astros already have multiple DH types and they like to rotate the DH for the regulars. A one year deal for Mitch Moreland might be a better option.
EE will kill us on years 4 and 5 of a deal.
nickmontgomery10
Cardinals might be in the running? Would be another good fit,Cardinals trade peralta move carpenter back to 3rd.
Lance
I doubt there’s much of a market for Peralta
stl_cards16 2
If the Cardinals were interested, they wouldn’t have already committed to playing Carpenter at 1B.
slider32
Sound like EE will be an Astro to me, that line-up would be crazy!
AddisonStreet
And that rotation laughable.
AvidAstrosFan
Ehhh.. sounds like you really don’t follow the Astros that much. Does the Astros covet a TOR pitcher Yes…… Is their rotation laughable? No…… One piece away from dominance. Relievers? I would say above average. Mid-tier to top tier closer…..
Hear this though…. If they add a Chris Sale/Archer and add Beltran or Encarcian while already changing catchers (McCann) and adding Reddick the Astros have done a lot of changes to a team that was already pretty dang good and cohesive. It might take a full year playing together to get a chemistry together. Hopefully spring training could take care of that. We are lucky enough to have a manager who strives to build a good team chemistry.
Adding the right pieces doesn’t always equal X amount of wins…..
Priggs89
I can all but guarantee a Sale trade would start with Bregman. The team would still be absolutely filthy, but you’d have to take him out of the lineup.
AvidAstrosFan
No doubt they would want to start with Bregman, but Luhnow has other prospects that are enticing. I don’t think that Luhnow considers Bregman untouchable but I do think if he went into play then it would be a multiple player trade. He would go for a Abreu/Sale for Bregman, Martes, Polino, Fisher or some scenario of that measure. Only if EE is out of play.
Perfidio123
All this jabber about “comfort level” and “love” is just a crock. EE will end up where the money is: 5x25m.
texas2step
Booyah! In a nut shell. Its about getting paid & not producing again until the next Contract year. If the owners Dont set salary limits soon. This Ole boy will not be able to attend games due to ticket prices. TV revenue is just as bad. Dish Network won’t supply Rootsports & Dish want pay the big bux.
slider32
if Cashman could pull off getting Chapman, EE, and Sale the Yanks would be back in the hunt for October. Yanks will have to go 5/120 to get him.
MB923
A very big If
Bruin1012
What are you going to trade to get Sale?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Starlin Castro and 6 top 10 prospects hahahahaha
jkwdbu
The yanks don’t have the active roster depth to make a WS push–even with those 3.
kiwimlbfan
It won’t happen. 1. They are trying to get under the luxury tax threshold. 2. They are shedding the contracts of declining old guys, not getting more. 3. They are waiting for Harper, Marchado, et al. 4. Youth movement. 5. Agents just using the old Yankees style as leverage for a better contract.
rit2940
I agree that Yanks are on the right path . Sign Beltran and Chapman trade Gardner for a sp and wait for Machado .
Yankees2425
It’s down to the Astros and Yankees. I hope he goes to Houston I don’t want that contract.
Yanksfanpaul 2
His agent is using the Yankees rumor as leverage to get the 5th year from the Astros, Yanks aren’t signing big contracts this year.
coldgoldenfalstaff
Come on Astros, get it done, then trade for a pitcher.
strosfan
If Houston lands EE there the next thing they need is a top of the line SP. To get Sale it looks like a Reed Martes package wouldn’t be enough. Bregman would have to be included and I dont know if I am ready to give him up. We won 84 games last year with Keuchel being a non factor and Mccullers injury riddled. Sign EE then you have this lineup with a healthy Keuchel and Mccullers
Springer
Bregman
Altuve
Correa
EE
Reddick
Yuli
then fill out the rest but those 7 then pencil in gattis mccan aoki marisnick teoscar you have yourself a dominate team.
hojostache
I’m glad to see HOU making a run. Anyone but the AL East.
Brandon_K
I feel like Royals will strike a deal. It would be like we swapped him and Morales. Also we are in need of a big bat at the middle of the lineup batting 5th after Hosmer.
pickandersen
BREAKING: Red Sox making big push for Edwin Encarnacion. The Astros had been the front runners for EE until they signed Beltran today. It’s now down to KC, BOS, and NYY for EE.
AvidAstrosFan
You might consider putting Texas in the mix. They DONT like the idea of being one upped from Houston.