Encarnacion: 'I want to stay on this team'

[Slugger]

My main reason for mentioning Bautistas shoulder was to demonstrate the believed flaw in the "amazing athlete" argument that's getting perpetuated. If I was arguing Edwin's body was better I wouldn't mention Bautista's 'legendary workout regimen' at all. All bodies break down, just Jose's breakdown is 2+ years closer than Edwins. If you are implying that Jose is some transcendent athlete that is beyond that I dont agree at all.

 

Also its more of an age/swing type thing than a body thing. I think Edwins a better overall hitter and I think that skill set ages better. It takes a lot more to go wrong for him to bottom out. Please don't take that as a slight on Bautista as hes still damn good.

 

It handcuffed the team defensively, not offensively. When Bautista is at DH and Encarnacion is at 1B then we see stuff like Colabello in LF more often, which is just.... words cannot describe...

I dont think anything can handcuff this team offensively other than everyone getting the measles or something *knock on wood*.

 

Dude, c'mon. You can't honestly believe Edwin will age better than Jose. Are you trying to prepare yourself mentally or something?

[crazy47larry]

Dude, c'mon. You can't honestly believe Edwin will age better than Jose. Are you trying to prepare yourself mentally or something?

 

nah man. Edwin's next 3-4 years in the league will be better than Jose's. I don't even find this to be a particularly bold statement. Feels more like common sense to me but I seem to be in the minority here. I don't mind the criticism for it either. I am more curious why others think Bautista will age better when he's already 2 years older.

 

They're both DHs anyways so I have always been prepared to lose one. At this point what I have to prepare mentally for is the prospect of losing BOTH of them.

[Jimcanuck]

gonna be fun arguing all season which one should be resigned

[jays76]

gonna be fun arguing all season which one should be resigned

 

It's a s***** situation that we have to lose one or both of these guys and that we're pitting them against each other. Sigh if only their contracts expired in 2 more years (stupid 5yr rule finally came back to bite us AA..). On the upside we know if healthy we'll get max production out of them this final contract year and it'll be fun as hell to watch! Heck maybe we win the WS and it's the perfect sendoff, or we win and Rogers Jr bites the bullet and gives them both 4-5yr deals. A lot of people would be up in arms (and rightfully so) about giving max deniero for declining value but if our beloved Jose & EE brought home a title with potential for more would it be worth it?

 

Although it's fun to forecast it's really hard for me to say who's going to age better statistically. Bautista is athletic and in better shape but has that violent swing and plays hard as f*** with his body finally slowing & breaking down recently as we've all witnessed. Eddy has that heavy frame (a la Big Papi) and will be protected more in an earlier DH role but he's had a myriad of fluky and irritating injuries throughout his career (unlike Ortiz) even though he's younger than Jose. Both are big game hitters although I'd probably tip my hat to Jose overall, he's a born leader and really seems to thrive off of pressure situations which is why I'm sure he'll command more money.

 

All I know is we've been blessed to have these two side by side all these years. Gonna be very bittersweet this year but interesting to see how it all plays out.

[Slugger]

It's a s***** situation that we have to lose one or both of these guys and that we're pitting them against each other. Sigh if only their contracts expired in 2 more years (stupid 5yr rule finally came back to bite us AA..). On the upside we know if healthy we'll get max production out of them this final contract year and it'll be fun as hell to watch! Heck maybe we win the WS and it's the perfect sendoff, or we win and Rogers Jr bites the bullet and gives them both 4-5yr deals. A lot of people would be up in arms (and rightfully so) about giving max deniero for declining value but if our beloved Jose & EE brought home a title with potential for more would it be worth it?

 

Although it's fun to forecast it's really hard for me to say who's going to age better statistically. Bautista is athletic and in better shape but has that violent swing and plays hard as f*** with his body finally slowing & breaking down recently as we've all witnessed. Eddy has that heavy frame (a la Big Papi) and will be protected more in an earlier DH role but he's had a myriad of fluky and irritating injuries throughout his career (unlike Ortiz) even though he's younger than Jose. Both are big game hitters although I'd probably tip my hat to Jose overall, he's a born leader and really seems to thrive off of pressure situations which is why I'm sure he'll command more money.

 

All I know is we've been blessed to have these two side by side all these years. Gonna be very bittersweet this year but interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

The 5 Year Rule was irrelevant in Edwin and Jose's contracts though.

[TBJ12]

nah man. Edwin's next 3-4 years in the league will be better than Jose's. I don't even find this to be a particularly bold statement. Feels more like common sense to me but I seem to be in the minority here. I don't mind the criticism for it either. I am more curious why others think Bautista will age better when he's already 2 years older.

 

They're both DHs anyways so I have always been prepared to lose one. At this point what I have to prepare mentally for is the prospect of losing BOTH of them.

 

I'm not sure who's going to age better, but Bautista isn't a DH, and might not be for another 3-4 years. I don't see Bautista having much trouble transitioning to 1B when he's moved out of RF.

[Sammy225]

I'm not sure who's going to age better, but Bautista isn't a DH, and might not be for another 3-4 years. I don't see Bautista having much trouble transitioning to 1B when he's moved out of RF.

 

He is not a RF though either, ya his arm still plays but boy almighty he has looked lost out there sometimes. Which whatever he is ageing and his legs ain't what they used to be

[KingKat]

He is not a RF though either, ya his arm still plays but boy almighty he has looked lost out there sometimes. Which whatever he is ageing and his legs ain't what they used to be

 

Yeah any decision to sign Bautista should be made with the expectation of little defensive value going forward. I mean he MIGHT stick in RF a little longer but it's debatable whether that's even desirable. It certainly shouldn't factor in any long term planning. If anything, I thinks it's in EE'S favour that you already know that he's comfortable in the DH role.

[Boxcar]

Dude, c'mon. You can't honestly believe Edwin will age better than Jose. Are you trying to prepare yourself mentally or something?

 

David Ortiz aged better than Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Derek Jeter, etc. and he's not in great shape.

 

I think the correct answer is probably that we have no idea who will probably age better, so it's prudent to bet on the younger one.

[TBJ12]

He is not a RF though either, ya his arm still plays but boy almighty he has looked lost out there sometimes. Which whatever he is ageing and his legs ain't what they used to be

 

Agreed. This might be his last season in RF, but he's likely bound for 1B not DH.

[Sammy225]

Agreed. This might be his last season in RF, but he's likely bound for 1B not DH.

 

Then you got to ask yourself is he going to be open to the move. We know how strong willed he is lol

[crazy47larry]

I'm not sure who's going to age better, but Bautista isn't a DH, and might not be for another 3-4 years. I don't see Bautista having much trouble transitioning to 1B when he's moved out of RF.

 

I dunno man. I feel like its easy to say "oh yeah just stick him at 1B" but I am pretty sure he will be crap there defensively. Its obviously down the defensive spectrum but don't take a 36 year old guy switching positions for granted.

[L54]

Bautista would be fine at 1B. I don't know why people seem to think he would have trouble at the easiest position in baseball. This isn't Bartolo Colon we are talking about.