8:53pm: Texas has been in touch with Encarnacion’s reps to gauge his price, but it’s not known if the team has made an offer, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets.
8:48pm: It has been a while since we’ve checked in on the market for Edwin Encarnacion, the best free agent who remains on the market (as ranked by MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes). Here’s the latest chatter on the veteran.
Though there’s a great match on paper, the Indians seemingly remain uninterested in going beyond their typical comfort zone for Encarnacion, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. While the concept of a higher-AAV, three-year deal with an opt-out after the first season has been floated, that may be a non-starter — though it’s fair to note that the organization has given reasonably significant guarantees out in free agency before (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn). And while it appears reasonable to think that Cleveland might bite with a big number for a single season only — if Encarnacion is reduced to seeking such an arrangement — Rosenthal suggests that the team may be loath to part with a draft pick to add him for just one year.
Meanwhile, the Athletics are “at least considering” an attempt to sign the free-agent slugger, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag. Importantly, though, it’s not entirely clear whether the A’s are positioning themselves to catch Encarnacion if his market collapses, or whether they’d put together a significant, multi-year offer. Though Oakland has options at first base and designated hitter — it avoided arbitration with Yonder Alonso and could platoon him with Mark Canha, and could feature Stephen Vogt at DH — those assignments aren’t exactly etched in stone, and there’s little question the team could stand to add some thump.
Perhaps the most obvious remaining landing spot for Encarnacion on a sizable deal would be the Rangers, but GM Jon Daniels dumped yet another sizable bucket of ice water on that idea, as MLB.com’s TR Sullivan writes. Texas is “highly unlikely” to move on the best remaining free agent, said GM Jon Daniels. While other outside targets are still being weighed, the executive suggests that the first-base position is still most likely to be filled from within.
All said, it’s increasingly difficult to see where Encarnacion will land a major contract. The Blue Jays were said to have offered $80MM over four years, but took that off the table — though they are said to be maintaining contact. As Rosenthal recently explained, though they may give the idea some thought, the Cardinals may not make a ton of sense, particularly since they play in the National League and have already said they’ll utilize Matt Carpenter at first. And it remains to be seen whether any other suitors — such as the Rockies or (speculatively) the Orioles or Red Sox — may ultimately emerge in full pursuit.
Of course, as agent Paul Kinzer recently noted, there’s no denying that Encarnacion offers a massive bat that isn’t otherwise available (at least, not via free agency). He’s certainly a good enough hitter that it would not be entirely surprising to a see a team re-arrange other aspects of its roster to create a fit. The Encarnacion camp’s declared willingness to be patient may be tested, but a sizable contract can’t be ruled out at this point by any stretch.
bluecard
cardinals need to sign him and move carpenter back to third. Peralta becomes bench bat or trade piece if anyone will take him. gyrko is super utility.
partyatnapolis
i could see this happening. i don’t think carpenter is their ideal 1B. he’d be better off at 2nd or 3rd.
redman9
Defensively, Carp is best suited to play 1B. Mo and the Cards have said they wanted to get better defensively. Signing EE does not do that and actually makes them worse in that regards as Carp is worse defensively at 3B, and even worse at 2B.
However, St. Louis does need a big bat to drive in those top 3 hitters (Fowler, Diaz, Carp) and I believe EE is the safer play than say Trumbo.
James_07
I’m with you
cardinalsfan97
I would much rather see EE at first instead of carpenter
chesteraarthur
I can’t believe they aren’t in this now. It makes waaay too much sense for them at his dropped market. If they can get him near 3/60, that’s a huge add for them.
I’m not sure they have a legit shot at the NL central title, but with dex and EE and any luck at all on the pitching front, they should have 0 problems getting a WC.
stryk3istrukuout
3/60?? Try 3/75 at the very least. I think 4/92 with 8 million in incentives is fair. Say if he reaches 30 homers and 100 RBIs, he can get one million for each per season.
Outlaws12
I think every Cardinal fan would rather see EE at 1st and Carp at 2nd or 3rd
theo2016
cubs fans agree with you, please be still be paying e.e, fowler and Mike leake 50 mil in 2020!
EndinStealth
As long as you pay Heyward, it’s a deal.
theo2016
3 bad contracts is more than 1. especially % payroll wise imo. p.s I’ll put money heyward posts more than 3 war next year. even money, 500 dollar min bets.
EndinStealth
Done
postcards
Your cubbies have way more payroll problems to worry about when you have to deal with all of your core players hitting FA at the same time and Theo will only be able to pay a few of them. The Cardinals are the most profitable sports franchise for a reason while still being one of the most successful. They’ll be fine.
SuperSinker
The Cardinals are the most profitable sports franchise? In the world? I’m gonna go ahead and say that’s probably not true at all.
chitown311
Isn’t $50mm Jason Heywards annual salary in 2020? And 2021? 2022? 2023….
theo2016
what? heyward makes 6 mil more per year than leake from 2017-2020. but let’s forget I mentioned 2 more names.
chesteraarthur
No. It isn’t. The interwebz actually have lots of information if you plug your question into the googlez
dave1775
You’re a douche
redman9
Leake wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Cards defense was the worst it’s been in 15 years which typically does not bode well for a ground ball pitcher.
Here’s what I’m talking about with Leake last season:
Era – highest of career
K/9 – 2nd highest of career
BB/9 – lowest of career
HR/9 – slightly lower than 2015
BABIP – highest of career (.318) – his 2nd highest avg of career was .306 in 2012
His era was nearly a full run higher than his FIP which typically means he was unlucky.
His left on base % was the lowest of his career which tells me that when men got on base, they scored.
His WAR was also the highest of his career which I found interesting
That’s all according to FanGraphs which is a pretty intriguing site that a person can get lost in for hours 😉
madmanTX
Wait for the punishment for the Cards in the hacking scandal and then talk about signing free agents.
JoeyPankake
Wait, I thought Russia hacked the Astros and that’s why they didn’t win the World Series this year…
peterdrgn
no no… Russia hacked the Cowboys…thats y Romo isn’t the QB now…look it up!! lol
justinept
As a Cubs fan, EE would worry me a bit. I’d still like the Cubs chances next year over the Cards. But EE and Fowler would make it significantly closer. It’d be a dog fight in the central.
Bank On It
Agree
jsmit113
Agreed
HOUShadows
I think the Cardinals will come through
RootedInOakland
make it happen Billy! Give him the multi-year offer he wants that’s partially front-loaded and then ship him out next year, A’s baseball!
Asfan27
lol that’s always possible
jmace2710
Indians need to try to add him.
1Rosberil
Indians should quit messing around. Take or leave it offer and move on.
partyatnapolis
he’d be a great fit in cleveland, but the swish/bourn contracts scared them off from ever signing a top free agent again
jmace2710
3rd times a charm …forget swisher and bourn! ee would boost our offense!
partyatnapolis
no doubt! but dolan will never go for it! 🙁
jmace2710
dolan needs to try something different…like the arbys old slogan said…different is good
TribeTown
That’s the same excuse they use time and time again. Before that was the Hafner deal. Dolans are hoarding money again
greenhorn79
I’m sorry but Swisher and Bourn weren’t top free agents
JKurk22
Actually they were the year they signed.
SuperSinker
Maybe to the Indians.
jmace2710
i agree
cardfan2011
I would love it if the Cardinals got him, although I don’t see it happening unless he accepts a 1-2 year contract
Kevin217
Yes agreed… A two year deal would be good. Move Carp to 3rd. Make it happen Cards. You have the cash to do it and it will make us more competitive.
bosox3415
Good God! Would the Red Sox just please sign this guy already! Screw the luxury tax penalties and just go for broke! Dumb-rowski has already mortgaged half the future to win now so what’s a few million dollars in penalties to try and cover some of the numbers that retired with Papi. For the love all everything holy please don’t let Panda back in the lineup. I don’t care if he is down to a size 48 waist and he’s in “the best shape he’s been in in years”…sign EE and get sized for a ring!
Flapjax55
Well put.
24TheKid
Seattle should trade Vogelbach and Peterson for a 3 or 4 starter(probally going to take more than that) and then sign Encarnacion to 3 year 60 mil with opt out after year 1. But I would think Encarnacion would have better offers than that.
JeD242
There’s no comparation in the production from EE than from Bourne or Swisher. EE’s numbers are far more superior and consistent.
Avory
Oh, how soon we forget. In the aftermath of both the Swisher and Bourn signings, the Tribe was lauded for its wisdom in waiting for the market to come to them, and how they signed two of the most consistent performers in the game at “reasonable” prices.
Now we’re being told the same about Encarnacion at a point where he’s clearly (if barely perceptibly) begun his physical decline. Any team that makes a multi-year offer at what he wants is nuts. (Remember, he spat on 4 years, $80 million!)
Have Tribe fans already forgotten how easily a banged up Tribe rotation handled Edwin in the ALCS?
The Cleveland Indians cannot afford the big mistake. They just can’t. We can get a little further out on the risk-reward ledge if the team starts to draw again, but that remains debatable. Besides, there is also no need to take big risks when the team will be favored to win the division again anyway. And who knows what the Tribe’s needs will be come deadline-time.
In any event, a return to form of Brantley is more important right now than worrying about Edwin Encarnacion.
Polish Hammer
Yeah, what he said…
jdgoat
You can’t judge a guy over 1 series. Talk about small sample sizes. The series before that EE obliterated the Texas pitching staff and walked off the wild card game. Saying you wouldn’t want him because of a 5 game sample is foolish.
Jeff Todd
I’m not remotely suggesting any comparison between any of those players.
Avory
Your write-up was fine; it’s only the interpretation by some Tribe fans that is problematic.
Let’s face it: if the market ever got remotely in the Tribe’s range, there’s be a half dozen more teams bidding it back up. Cleveland should just advise guys like EE what they can do and move on. He knows the Tribe’s number. Besides, as you said in your chat, there’s many ways for Cleveland to flexibly approach their needs. No need to get hung up on one guy, no matter how “perfectly” he might seem to fit in.
I’m also reminded that it is just as likely some fall back (think Napoli last year) is as likely to be the answer as that “perfect” high-priced guy would turn out to be.
LAnation
Here come the Dodgers!
Hank Murphy
It disgusts me that the Blue Jays seem to think that having a AA/A level player like Smoak playing 1B is ok and EE is going to end up with a team with a much smaller revenue stream than the Blue Jays.
jdgoat
To a dumb deal though. No need in paying an aging slugger if it’s just going to cripple us down the road.
osonvs
You make it sound like the Jays didn’t try to sign EE. They offered him a fair deal and he rejected it. It’s done. The Jays moved on with their plan as they should. I’d rather they go with plan B and watch EE potentially go than hold out for EE and potentially watch him leave and have nothing to show this off season.
giddyup
Smoak is a terrible example of risk/reward… Like JP Arencibia, cut the cord already and let this useless crap float away with the rest of the trash !!!
Gibby wants to hang onto Smoaks
“Yesteryear” performance but he’s a joke today!!! $6-million saved gets us a great lefty reliever and that will win us four times as many games as Smoak would!!!
Let’s move Smoak in a trade NOW…!!!
SuperSinker
I hope you understand a manager has very little authority when it comes to roster construction. Gibbons is in charge of the players given to him.
Kayrall
It really depends on the team. Some organizations such as the orioles or angels have very hands on managers that have a huge say in player acquisition/transactions.
SuperSinker
Gibbons does not.
Momus
Smoak’s yesteryear performance? At what point in his career has Smoak performed significantly better than he did last season?
He’s a career .223/.308/.392 hitter good for 95 wRC+ or about 0.5 fWAR per season – last season he hit .217/.314/.391 for 90 wRC+ and 0.1 fWAR.
The baffling part of the contract is that Smoak haS literally never been good.
patborders92
It’s tough to accept, but if you look beyond this year and next, there’s to many core players about to hit free agency with a lack of MLB ready prospects in the system. Patch the team together for 2017 without any major long term commitments and look for an ATL Braves blow up at the deadline if we’re out or next offseason.
liam
True. Except smoak could be a better player in say Yankees stadium because of the short porches.
JFactor
I imagine Texas will land him, they have the vacancy and the club need.
That said, I would love to see the Cards get him around the 75-90 million range. I think his camp is holding out for that 5/100 deal though.
oebrr00
ee should have been loyal to the jays. Would be a rich man.
altuve2017mvp
No one is loyal. Not even ur momma
deeepshizz
Don’t want him back with the Jays – rather take a draft pick. These guys’ (Bautista and EE) prime is past them.
jdgoat
Well Encarnacion maybe just had his best season and Bautistas “bad” season was still well above league average
theo2016
encarnacion just had his worst season in 5 years. and bautista was not well above average, defense and base running matter.
SuperSinker
Projection systems are much more optimistic on his 2017 campaign than you would be. Track record and context (injuries) matter.
jdgoat
I was going by hitting and if Bautista is moved to 1b/dh he won’t be exposed so much
madmanTX
If EE wants to be a Ranger, he needs to give them a discount. It is after all the best team and clubhouse to be part of in all MLB.
User 4245925809
As far as wanting to play for a team?
He made it public before hitting FA that Boston and a return to Toronto were his 1st 2 choices, not being a Ranger.
Now if those 2 preferred destinations are out? Being a Ranger could come into sight for EE. Think that’s why it’s taking so long myself, tho only a guess. believe bucholz gets moved and then Toronto/Boston get into it over which one lands him. That, or my hopes.
altuve2017mvp
Yea ok guy. Beltran would have signed back with yall if it was true. Get over the hype and ready for old rangers baseball where they would score 10 runs and still lose by four
peterdrgn
dude ..dont b so bitter just because the rangers own the stros my brother..lol
SuperSinker
And the Blue Jays own the Rangers.
jdgoat
Bigpapiforever, you become a fan of the Rangers?
66TheNumberOfTheBest
The draft pick is just killing the market on these qualified players.
Even getting a one year deal might not be that easy for him, who wants to give up a first round pick for one year of a player?
His agent should call the Rockies and see if they’d do a one year deal.
The Rockies would only have to give up a second round pick and he could put up insane numbers to land a better deal next year.
Ian Desmond then becomes the highest paid super utility player in baseball, I guess.
SuperSinker
Or Dahl goes to AAA and the problem is solved.
A'sfaninUK
lmao Dahl is so sick, the MLBPA will question the team if they demote him.
The Rockies are so badly run its hilarious. Sure, stock up on hitters, when like, Mike Kingery hit .350 there. Yeah. Totally necessary. Pitching? Nah….
Lance
If I’m the GM of a team that figures to contend and a free agent is a guy who could put me in the WS, I’d pull the trigger in a heartbeat….IF the price is right. I KNOW what EE is likely to do the next couple years. A draft pick becoming as good as EE is very slim, especially drafting as I as high as I would draft if I had a contending team like STL or TEX. That player drafted won’t help me for at least 2-3 years–if ever. I have no idea were EE will wind up but I suspect he is going to regret turning down the deal Toronto offered, at least from a financial and guaranteed standpoint. If he were 30-31, he would already have a 5-6 year offer. But the mere fact he is STILL a FA tells me the market isn’t that hot on him. But then again, Fielder waited and eventually got his big deal from Detroit. That’s why the hot stove league is fun to watch.
Niekro
Seems like the money would be better spent adding 2-3 years of control on to Davis and making him the full time DH since he loses most of his value defensively.
trgedlin
I can’t believe Seattle isn’t in the mix on this. Positional need, meets team’s competitive horizon. Pay the man, trade for another pitcher and the team is set up to be competitive in the relatively weak AL West.
skrockij89
Yeah I don’t trust Vogelbach at 1B. The ownership has stated they’re willing to spend more. The window is open for only 2-3 years and I don’t care for the platoon especially with Lind and Lee last year playing poorly.
24TheKid
I liked what you were saying until you said weak al west, you need to know what your talking about before making a comment like that.
LaffitesLanding
Why not the Marlins? They tried and failed to sign the two big closers. Why not give the money earmarked for them and give it to Encarnacion? I mean us Justin Bour that locked in for them? I bet they sign one of these big hitters.EE makes sense for them.
LaffitesLanding
*is not us.
hollywoodhills
“Why not the Marlins?”
JEFFREY LORIA
Bloodsucker
TheBoatmen
Wish the Jays would just pay the man. They have a hard enough time attracting free agents. You have one that wants to come back to Toronto, use him. I see Shapiro and Ackins turning the Jays into a small market club like the Indians.
Avory
You can only hope they turn the Jays into as smart an organization as the Cleveland Indians. Maybe, just maybe, the wise thing is to just let guys like Encarnacion and Bautista go one year early than one year too late…
The only threat to smart organizations like the Tribe are teams that are smart AND wealthy; usually big resources make teams dumb…maybe because of their backgrounds, Shapiro and Atkins are smart enough to avoid big mistakes?
hersch
You want the Blue Jays organization to become as smart as the Cleveland Indians? The same organization that hasn’t won the World Series in about 70 years? You know that the Blue Jays won twice in the last 25 years right? I’m sorry I’ll a dumb overspending organization (especially since we have the money) than your smart loser organization!!!
hersch
*take
Avory
Lessee…one team with a third of the attendance and a quarter of the revenue celebrated on the other team’s home field after totally vanquishing them in the ALCS despite not having 2/3 of its starting rotation. I think we know who the brighter organization has been.
Shapiro and Atkins may get there, but as long as fans push them to do things that are not smart–and signing EE to a long term deal at his age and declining productivity is not smart–then the Jays will be doomed to the treadmill they’ve long been on despite being in one of the best, most vibrant markets in the game.
hersch
Great teams and their builders are not remembered for winning a series but rather championships. If Shapiro had taken care of the deficiencies when needed, ie. the most glaring being the bullpen, then the Jays would have beaten Cleveland. And maybe would have beaten the Cubs unlike the loser Indians.
stormie
The Jays scored how many runs in that series, and you’re blaming the bullpen?
hersch
The bullpen won it for Cleveland, specifically Miller (yes the one traded for by the current GM in an unlike Shapiro trade), and the bullpen that lost it for Toronto. And further to the point, the Jays probably would have had about 10 more wins during the season if they had a better bullpen.
SuperSinker
I hope they turn the Jays into a team that makes a World Series appearance.
And I think they’ll have an easier time attracting free agents once this new administration really starts cutting the fabric of America.
JFactor
Your fear is that they turn them into a World Series team?
Dang
Spending money doesn’t equate to winning. Spending wisely does
TheBoatmen
No not what I meant. It is easier to get to the World Series by spending money though. The team only needs a few pieces to contend again. So much money came off the books, 3.5 million fans last year with a 10% hike in ticket prices. This does not equal Morales. Toronto has a hard time attracting free agents unless they have played for Toronto before, previous and current management have said so. If Morales is all they replace EE, Bautista, Saunders and Cecil with they are going to start losing fan base that took 20 years to come back.
whittyboy
I hope the Astros go out and get him, They might as well, especially if he is going on a discount price…
deeepshizz
EE – look man, we love you in Toronto. But you’re done. You ain’t worth the money you’re asking for and we cannot carry your HR or nothing anymore.
Oh and tell Bautista we don’t want him back either
SuperSinker
Edwin’s had a .350 OBP and averaged 30 doubles since 2013. How is he an all or nothing HR hitter.
jdgoat
No will gladly take both back, just not for the money or years they’ll want
CursedRangers
There are more 1B/DH free agent options than there are teams that need them. It’s a game of musical chairs and someone is going to have to sign for less than market value. It’s just a matter of who blinks first.
peterdrgn
agreed
A'sfaninUK
With Gray potentially being back to normal, and Manaea (2.67 ERA in 2nd half), Graveman (3.84 ERA in 2nd half), Cotton (a dominant 2.15 ERA in 5 starts) and the intriguing Triggs, along with Hahn, Bassit, Mengden and then Puk leading a long list of strong pitching prospects, Oakland should go wild and grab not only Encarnacion, but also fill out the OF with Jose Bautista, Colby Rasmus and Austin Jackson. With the ultra-promising pitching they currently have, that might turn them into a surprise contender in 2017. Depending on how they fill that OF, they might end up in a very similar vibe to 2012.
YesWeMcCann
for a team like the Indians, a team that can compete now, this guy should be signed. he will give you a couple years of high quality baseball. Def a guy that can put a team over the top
Solaris611
Agree completely. You know EE is going to produce in the middle of that lineup. There has never been a better time for CLE to step up and get it done. Don’t settle for an Adam Lind or James Loney and HOPE they have career years.
Avory
Knee-slappers! More people who believe that one magical signing puts a team “over the top.” Unbelievable.
Had Carrasco and Salazar been healthy, they would have won it all. Even as it was, they were up 3-1 on the best team in baseball and simply ran out of arms.
And now you’re saying all it takes is Edwin and what, $90 mil? C’mon man.
The last time we were in this position everyone said all we needed was a closer and a thirdbaseman and it would assure us of a championship we just missed the previous year. So we threw big bucks at Kerry Wood and traded Chris Archer for Mark deRosa…how’d that work out?
Any time someone says “all it takes is so and so to put us over the top” my nonsense detecto-meter goes sky high and I grab my wallet. Betcha you didn’t say last winter, “Wow…Mike Napoli…Rajai Davis…those guys will put us over the top!” So now I’m supposed to believe EE will? This is baseball, man, not the NBA (thank goodness).
Lance
I remember how Steinbrenner thought Reggie Jackson was the final pOctoberiece of the puzzle after the Yanks had lost to the Reds. Guess what…Jackon DID put the yanks over the top. 3 HR’s in one WS game made him Mr October and the Yanks WS champs
Lovetron
EE redundant for A’s at a different spot (Khris Davis) but would happily take him to trade to someone at the deadline. He’s still a masher.
nycjcards
With Cards about to get hammered with MLB over Houston tampering…sign EE and push Carp to 3rd.
World Series is goal.
5yrs/$102.5 with 3rd yr opt-out/5th yr as club option
liam
That’s what the Jays should offer aha
BoSoxs4life
I am wondering if the rSox might sign him. I still believe they need a power bat, But that means someone has to be moved if they sign him.
liam
I know this won’t happen but. I would love it if Edwin comes back to Toronto. I know they recently signed Steve Pearce, but I think they should trade Pearce for a prospect or two. And really try to re-sign EE. Reply I’m with you if you are with me.
stormie
You really want them to ruin their reputation by trading a guy they just signed? Not gonna happen.
Lance
why would anyone give up prospects for Pearce when they could have signed him a week ago without giving up anyone?
Enarxis
Edwin to the Jays, we get rid of Smoak and use Pearce at 1B vs LHP, while Edwin DHs and Morales sit !!!!
Joey then; returns to his RF on a 3 yr deal with an opt out option after the 1st yr, we get Revere to lead off and platoon with Upton in LF, bring back Navarro who knows the pitching staff and can be a great relieve to keep Martin fresh. Final but not least sort out the bullpen and bring in a guy to compete for the 5ft spot !
e.g. Ross, Fister. As for the bullpen guys like Manship, Feliz could be decent options to pair up with Osuna, Grilli and Biagini !
GO NEW YORK
I want encarnacion to go to the yanks
KennyB
C’mon EE lets get serious here. You want to stay in Toronto and Toronto wants you to stay. What’s the difference between $80 million and 85-90 million over the life of a contract?? At that level it’s all pride and not about the dollars. You are going to live like a king for the rest of your life and kids life. Seriously stop all this posturing. If the dollars were out there they would have already showed up. The NL is a no-go. EE has not played more than 75 games in the field in over 4 years so he ain’t about to start playing 130-140 games at first base for the Cards or anyone else in the NL. EE we love you in TO the 416 wants you home where you belong. Back the truck up, take the Jays money, kick back and enjoy the winter and see ya in February at spring training.
stormie
The Jays took that 4/$80mm offer off the table a week after they made it. They may still try to work something creative out with him, but I doubt he can still get $80 million from the Jays or he probably would’ve taken it by this point.