When the Indians transaction was completed Thursday, Kinzer was at a Six Flags amusement park with his grandchildren, and Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti was attending a performance of "The Nutcracker Suite" with his family. The deal included a first-year opt-out for Encarnacion and a third-year club option. An MLB source said Oakland's proposed offer was for two years and $50 million. We know where we would like to get.'"Īs decision time neared, Encarnacion had to choose among several shorter-term options. "My only statement was, 'The market will dictate the years and the salary. "That never came out of my mouth for one team,'" Kinzer said. He denied that Encarnacion had told clubs it would take a five-year, $125 million investment to sign him. Kinzer also characterized published reports of Encarnacion's contract demands as inflated. Background interviews with Encarnacion's camp and Toronto's front office have revealed some disagreement over how doggedly the Jays were pursuing Encarnacion as the offseason progressed. The Blue Jays then filled their designated hitter void by signing Kendrys Morales to a three-year, $33 million contract. Toronto gave Encarnacion a four-year, $80 million offer early in the offseason, but he turned it down because he thought he could do better. With Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Chris Carter and Mike Napoli among the other sluggers still available, the Indians and other teams in search of power also had an abundance of options this winter. But several factors might have helped to suppress his value to potential suitors.Įncarnacion turns 34 in January, and since Toronto gave him a qualifying offer in November, Cleveland had to forfeit its first pick in the 2017 first-year player draft (No. As such, he was the premier free-agent slugger on the market this offseason. The contract has a $25 million club option for 2020 that could bring the overall value of the agreement to $85 million.Įncarnacion is currently at home in the Dominican and is hoping to travel to Cleveland early next week to complete his physical exam and finalize the deal, Kinzer said.Įncarnacion ranks second to Baltimore's Chris Davis among MLB hitters with 193 home runs since 2012. Kinzer confirmed reports that Encarnacion's contract with Cleveland is for three years and a guaranteed $65 million, including a $5 million buyout. He wasn't just flirting - he was dating." "The one thing I'll give Billy: When he jumped in, he jumped in with both feet and really jump-started the process. Edwin turned down more money, and it came down to Cleveland being closer to home. He really got creative and came on strong down the end and really made a push. But it took a late push from the Oakland A's head honcho to get things moving and push the Indians' negotiations over the top.Įncarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer, told that the agreement came together quickly Thursday night, and that the Athletics and Texas Rangers were in the running to sign Encarnacion until the "last minute." The Cleveland Indians stepped up with an uncharacteristically big offer to land Edwin Encarnacion as a free agent. It took Billy Beane to get things moving. MLB, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays How the Encarnacion deal finally came together All rights reserved.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 277 with team highs of 24 home runs and 63 RBIs, while Adam Lind started at first base against New York.Įncarnacion had a hit and a walk in three at-bats as the Blue Jays lost 5-3. He did, however, lose track of the count while batting in the eighth and had to be told to take his base after drawing a walk.Įncarnacion entered play Wednesday batting. Toronto's trainer came out and performed concussion tests on Encarnacion, who was able to stay in the game. Teixeira's arm struck Encarnacion from behind, knocking him to the ground. TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion started at designated hitter in Wednesday's series finale against the New York Yankees, one day after he was struck in the back of the head by Mark Teixeira's elbow in a collision at first base.Įncarnacion said he "saw black" after the incident in the seventh inning, when he leaned back into the baseline to try to catch an errant, bounced throw from shortstop Jose Reyes. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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