MLB Free Agency: Best Options for Edwin Encarnacion
By Matt Meffe
The Blue Jays have been one of the best offensive teams over the past six years. A large chunk of that production has come from Edwin Encarnacion. Now he is a free agent, and he looks to help whatever team he can.
Since 2009, the Jose Bautista–Edwin Encarnacion tandem has provided a large chunk of production for the Toronto Blue Jays. Encarnacion has establushed himself as one of the best power hitters in baseball, while providing a large deal of protection for Bautista. In 2010, Encarnacion was one of seven Blue Jays to slug 20 home runs. The next season, Encarnacion’s batting average rose, but his power numbers dropped as he hit 17 home runs.
It wasn’t until 2012 where Encarnacion would break out, slugging over 40 home runs while driving in over 100 runs for the first time in his career. In 2013, Encarnacion would improve his plate discipline, drawing more walks than strikeouts for the first time in his career.
From 2013-2016, Encarnacion made three AL All-Star teams and was put into consideration for the AL MVP award on several occasions. This season was arguably Edwin’s best, as he set career-highs in several categories. He drove in 127 runs to set a personal high and lead the American League. He also appeared in 160 games while scoring 99 runs, collecting 158 hits, 87 walks, and 318 total bases.
His personal accomplishments over the past several years have made Encarnacion one of the best power hitters in baseball. As a result of the production of Encarnacion, Bautista, Josh Donaldson and company, the Jays clinched two consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1993 in 2015 and 2016. Despite their offensive presence, the Jays were eliminated both times.
Now, Encarnacion and Bautista are potentially set to depart, and they both look to make names for themselves elsewhere. There are teams out there who lack depth at first base that could also use Encarnacion’s offensive production.