Edwin Encarnacion signs three year $27 million deal with Toronto Blue Jays – MLB Update
According to a leading sports website, Edwin Encarnacion has signed on a three year $27 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. The first baseman and designated hitter will not be a free agent from next season.
The contract also includes an option of one more year for $10 million if Encarnacion completes his three year tenure with the Blue Jays. It will be interesting to see if the Dominican Republic native can continue to play for the Blue Jays until 2016.
Compared to the deal he signed during the off-season, this new deal will give the first baseman better salary and bonuses. According to sources, Josh Willingham has also agreed to a three year $21 million package with the Minnesota Twins and Michael Cuddyer
has committed to a three year $31.5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.
Encarnacion is having one of the finest seasons of his career this year. He was on a $5.5 million contract when he started the season and he should be very pleased with his current situation after Wednesday’s events.
His batting average of .295 is also the highest among all Blue Jays’ hitters this season. With 23 home-runs, 58 RBI’s and 14 doubles, he carried the Blue Jays’ offence on his back for the first couple of months. His team-mate Jose Bautista started to do
well from June onwards.
There were rumours that Toronto might decide to trade Encarnacion. However, considering the fact he has played a key role in his club’s 43-43 record before the All Star Break, John Farrell offered him a new and better deal.
With his 23 home-runs, he is tied fourth in the American League for the most homers. His on base percentage is also considerably higher than his career OBP. After struggling to make the most of available opportunities in first half of last season, Toronto’s
DH improved his game play considerably and he has not shown any signs of slowing down. It will be exciting to see if his ability to adapt to new challenges can help the Blue Jays win the World Series title for the first time since 1993.
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