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Toronto Blue Jays: The 2010s All-Decade team

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - JULY 22: A banner showing the retired number 32, belonging to former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, is updated with the National Baseball Hall of Fame logo, after Halladay was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 21st, 2019, seen during a MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 22: A banner showing the retired number 32, belonging to former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, is updated with the National Baseball Hall of Fame logo, after Halladay was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 21st, 2019, seen during a MLB game against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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(Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
(Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

All-Decade Blue Jays Infield

First Base/Designated Hitter: Edwin Encarnacion

  • 2009-2016 (8 seasons)
  • 3x All-Star (2013, 2014, and 2016)
  • 239 Home Runs; 679 RBI
  • 136 OPS+; 24.3 bWAR
  • 999 games

Edwin Encarnacion came to the Blue Jays via trade midway through the 2009 season. Scott Rolen would head to the Cincinnati Reds, and in return, the Blue Jays received a package of players that included Encarnacion.

He would spend a few years with the organization before breaking out in 2012, where he would slash .280/.384/.557 with 42 home runs and 110 RBI. Although he wouldn’t be nominated to the All-Star game this year, he would follow up with a very similar campaign in 2013, earning an All-Star nomination for the first time in his career.

For his Blue Jays career, Edwin split most of his time between 1B and DH, which is why he receives both honors on the All-Decade team. He would slash .268/.355/.522 during the 999 games he played with the team and was known for ‘walking the parrot‘ every time he rounded 1st base after hitting a home run. He would also demolish a home run during the extra innings of the 2016 A.L. Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles, cementing himself in Blue Jays history.

Encarnacion would leave the team during free agency in the 2016/2017 off-season, signing a deal with the Cleveland Indians. A reunion could be in the midst of this off-season, as Encarnacion is a free agent, but all signs are pointing to the Blue Jays passing veteran players for younger, controllable options whether internally or externally.

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