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Calm Edwin Encarnacion Market Paves Way for Texas Rangers

By Travis Koch

Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a single during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a single during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Teams appear to be turning their backs on Edwin Encarnacion. A perfect time for the Texas Rangers to swoop in for a major signing.

Mid-way through the week, the Winter Meetings have prompted a splash of action. All sorts of intriguing moves have occurred. Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals, Wade Davis to the World Series champs, all topped off by the inevitable sale of Chris Sale. The sudden hype and excitement has forced some free agents to the background. One of those, Edwin Encarnacion.

Encarnacion was the focal point of many teams entering free agency. Many thought he would control the market and be the first big domino to fall. Well, we’re a month into the offseason and Encarnacion is in the corner twiddling his thumbs. He passed on a qualifying offer proposed by his former team, no surprise there. But with all the teams which expressed interest in him in the early going, it’s hard to believe he remains free.

Edwin Encarnacion, along with his representation, have simply played the waiting game. Popular opinion says that has hurt his cause, but can you blame them?

Encarnacion has averaged 39 home runs per season over the last five seasons. He has also surpassed the 100-RBI mark in four out of five of those seasons. In 2016, he slashed .263/.357/.529 with 42 long balls and a league-leading 127 RBI. Encarnacion’s herculean power makes him one of the most intimidating hitters in baseball. No wonder he and his agent are holding out for a big deal; his numbers show he deserves it.

The asking price is reportedly now at three years, $60 million for Encarnacion. That’s only $20 million per year for one of MLB’s premier power hitters. Per Spotrac, there are 37 MLB players whose 2017 salaries equal or exceed $20 million. Among those are Jason Heyward ($26.166 million), Jacoby Ellsbury ($21.143 million), and James Shields ($21 million). It’s safe to say Encarnacion has proved more valuable than each of the aforementioned players.

Edwin Encarnacion’s market is certainly diminishing. However, he won’t go unsigned throughout the offseason. Amidst the various chaos that was on display over the past few days, there was one deal that had enormous influence on the Encarnacion sweepstakes. One of the most overlooked players in MLB, Mitch Moreland signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. In all likelihood, the move took Boston out of the running for Encarnacion. In contrast, the move may have catapulted the Texas Rangers to lead the race for the slugger. Moreland formerly played first base for the Rangers. His departure creates a major vacancy within the Rangers depth chart.

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Who better to fill that vacancy than Edwin Encarnacion? Texas needs another big bat in the lineup. Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran left big openings in the Rangers batting order. Encarnacion would seamlessly step in as the team’s third-place hitter. He would be an outstanding complement to Adrian Beltre, and if you think about, a three-year, $60 million contract would be considerably less than it would have cost Texas to retain Desmond and Beltran.

For some reason, Encarnacion’s 34 years of age has scared some teams away. A potential three-year contract would have Encarnacion at 37 years old in his final contract year. He has already proven to be a late bloomer, as his first truly notable MLB season did not come until 2011. It’s hard to believe Encarnacion’s productivity would plummet whatsoever by age 37. If there’s a team to place little concern on age, it’s the Texas Rangers. Texas instilled much faith in Carlos Beltran in his age-39 season. They also just signed 37-year-old Adrian Beltre to a two-year extension last spring. There is no reason to undervalue Encarnacion due to age.

Although the subject of many rumors, the Rangers have been rather quiet this offseason. It’s only a matter of time before general manager Jon Daniels makes a headline move. Texas has a legitimate need for a first baseman and for a middle of the order bat. Edwin Encarnacion fits the bill to perfection. The team may have some spite toward Encarnacion given their recent history with the Toronto Blue Jays. But as long as it isn’t Jose Bautista, they likely won’t make a big fuss about it.

Next: Yankees Sign Aroldis Chapman

Edwin Encarnacion to the Texas Rangers? Don’t be surprised if that headlines MLB news over the course of the next few weeks.

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