On Thursday the Toronto Blue Jays announced that they have inked 29 year old DH Edwin Encarnacion to a 3 year extension worth $27 million (plus a club option for a 4th year at $10 mil). Encarnacion was due to be a free agent at the end of the season.
Encarnacion is having a great start to the 2012 campaign having mashed 23 HRs going into the All-Star Break. He's already nearing his career high in that total (26 back in '08) and has provided solid protection in the lineup for slugging RF Jose Bautista.
On the surface it seems like a good move, but is it really?
The deal brings back memories of the deal Adam Lind signed after his career season in 2009, granted Lind's contract was much more manageable at 4 years and $18 million.
Here's the problem. It wasn't all that long ago that Encarnacion was put on waivers and free for any Major League team to pick up.
"We’re fairly confident that he will clear," GM Alex Anthopolous said in July of 2010.
He did.
Later in 2010 the Blue Jays put him on waivers once again, this time the Oakland A's claimed him (he subsequently returned as a free agent later that off-season).
Anthopolous has been very smart thus far as the GM of the Blue Jays but this move could hurt end up hurting the club over the next few seasons. It's a particularly interesting signing because of the expiring contract. Anthopolous could have leveraged Encarnacion's fast start and dealt him at the deadline and potentially brought in some young inexpensive talent.
$9 million a season doesn't sound like a lot for the production Encarnacion has been providing and should it continue it'll be a bargain. However that money could have been used in free agency to sign a more reputable and established slugger.
The question becomes does Encarnacion continue to be the hitter with a .947 OPS and on pace for 40+ HR as he has been thus far this season or does he revert back to the career .805 OPS hitter who'll hit around 20? I guess we'll find out in the next 3 and a half seasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment