MLB Report: Indians, Edwin Encarnacion Agree To 3-Year Deal

After reaching the World Series this year, the Cleveland Indians were regarded as one of the American League favorites for next season.

MLB Report: Indians, Edwin Encarnacion Agree To 3-Year Deal

On Thursday, the Tribe announced a huge move: their signing of free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion. 

A source told MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez that the Indians have reached an agreement with Encarnacion on a three-year contract that includes a fourth-year option. The deal is worth $60 million guaranteed, which includes a $5 million buyout for the $25 million option for the 2020 season. The deal has not been confirmed because it is pending a physical.

The deal will likely not become official until after the holidays, as is usual for contracts agreed upon around this time of year.

Given that Mike Napoli is set to become a free agent this winter, the Tribe’s most evident need this offseason was power, particularly at first base and designated hitter. Thus, Encarnacion is the perfect fit for the Indians.

The Indians currently now they hold an advantage not only over their AL Central rivals– the other four teams are in various states of transition — but are returning as the AL champions for 2017. With one of the league’s top rotations, an elite bullpen anchored by Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, and a lineup that should have a healthy Michael Brantley back in the fold, it was a great opportunity to spend on a marquee bat.

Encarnacion, who will be 34 on Jan. 7, hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBIs last season for the Toronto Blue Jays. Over the last five years, the Dominican first baseman has hit .272 with a .912 OPS and an average of 39 homers and 110 RBIs per season. During that five-year span, the three-time All-Star ranked second in the MLB in home runs (193) and RBIs (550), third in Isolated Power (.272), fifth in slugging percentage (.544) and sixth in OPS+ (146).

Encarnacion has also demonstrated that he can hit both lefties and righties.

Since 2012, his .909 OPS against right-handers was third best in the Majors among right-handed batters, trailing only Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.

Encarnacion reportedly turned down a four-year, $80 million offer to return to the Blue Jays, who swiftly moved on with the signings of free agents Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce. With Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Chris Carter and Napoli still on the market, Encarnacion’s potential landing spots diminished. The Tribe remained in touch, hoping his asking price would near their operating range.

The signing of Encarnacion will likely push Cleveland’s Opening Day payroll to around $120 million, barring any subtractions via trade. In July, the Indians traded four prospects to the New York Yankees in exchange for Miller.

Encarnacion remained a force in 2016, mashing 42 homers with an AL-best 127 RBIs.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 9: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers during game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena