Report: Blue Jays plan to offer Encarnacion long-term deal

[Angrioter]

Brandon Wile Oct 12, 2016 10:52 PM

Edwin Encarnacion's career-year appears to have convinced the Toronto Blue Jays front office that he belongs in their plans moving forward.

 

The Blue Jays reportedly intend to make a long-term offer to Encarnacion, according to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, who notes they plan to extend both Encarnacion and Jose Bautista a qualifying offer.

 

Encarnacion is coming off a monster season in which he hit .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs, 34 doubles, and 127 RBIs in 160 games. The 33-year-old has established himself as one of the most consistent and feared bats in the majors over the last five seasons, averaging 39 home runs and 110 RBIs.

 

After spending the last eight seasons in Toronto, Encarnacion has expressed a strong desire to remain in the organization, but he did tell the club that he would not hold any contract negotiations during the season.

 

According to Heyman, the Blue Jays offered Encarnacion a two-year deal in the spring that included two option years and adds that while Toronto's offer will be competitive, it's not expected to blow him away and it isn't a guarantee that they won't be outbid.

 

Along with Bautista, Encarnacion is one of the top bats set to hit the market in a rather weak free-agent class that could also include Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick.

[flafson]

Brandon Wile Oct 12, 2016 10:52 PM

Edwin Encarnacion's career-year appears to have convinced the Toronto Blue Jays front office that he belongs in their plans moving forward.

 

The Blue Jays reportedly intend to make a long-term offer to Encarnacion, according to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, who notes they plan to extend both Encarnacion and Jose Bautista a qualifying offer.

 

Encarnacion is coming off a monster season in which he hit .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs, 34 doubles, and 127 RBIs in 160 games. The 33-year-old has established himself as one of the most consistent and feared bats in the majors over the last five seasons, averaging 39 home runs and 110 RBIs.

 

After spending the last eight seasons in Toronto, Encarnacion has expressed a strong desire to remain in the organization, but he did tell the club that he would not hold any contract negotiations during the season.

 

According to Heyman, the Blue Jays offered Encarnacion a two-year deal in the spring that included two option years and adds that while Toronto's offer will be competitive, it's not expected to blow him away and it isn't a guarantee that they won't be outbid.

 

Along with Bautista, Encarnacion is one of the top bats set to hit the market in a rather weak free-agent class that could also include Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick.

 

That's definitely cool that they are trying to be competitive. Hopefully it's not 3 years and 10M per...

[Maahfaace]

That's definitely cool that they are trying to be competitive. Hopefully it's not 3 years and 10M per...

 

Lol

[Maahfaace]

4/90 and front load it so he's easier to move in year 3 and 4 if the need arises.

[Grant77]

I can't see Shapiro increasing his offer by much considering this was more of a typical year for Edwin and not a career year. Perhaps they were impressed by his work ethic or leadership though. I sure hope something gets done. We have the money and he's the guy we want and need.

[fatcowxlive]

Wow. Did not expect this. Maybe Bautista takes the qualifying offer too? Who knows maybe he wants to rebuild his value. I also expect us to sign Reddick. Especially since we won't lose a pick signing him

[Laika]

Just let him walk. The Jays probably make the playoffs without him and team quality doesn't even matter in the playoffs.

[fatcowxlive]

I can't see Shapiro increasing his offer by much considering this was more of a typical year for Edwin and not a career year. Perhaps they were impressed by his work ethic or leadership though. I sure hope something gets done. We have the money and he's the guy we want and need.

 

Do you know whether or not the Jays/Ownership expected to lead the AL in attendance? Maybe that made them realize there's more money and more potential to grow, I mean ticket prices are going up next year too but I still expect very strong crowds if they put a winning product on the field

[Krylian]

I heard that Rogers actually wanted to cut payroll going into 2016 and Shapiro had to convince them not to.

 

I'm not expecting anything positive to happen with the payroll.

 

Thanks, Rogers.

[Grant77]

Do you know whether or not the Jays/Ownership expected to lead the AL in attendance? Maybe that made them realize there's more money and more potential to grow, I mean ticket prices are going up next year too but I still expect very strong crowds if they put a winning product on the field

 

You would think that the forecast was very positive after 2015, but I don't have a clue.

[THANOS]

I can't see Shapiro increasing his offer by much considering this was more of a typical year for Edwin and not a career year. Perhaps they were impressed by his work ethic or leadership though. I sure hope something gets done. We have the money and he's the guy we want and need.

 

No, but the increase in revenues could certainly allow for more risk.

[L54]

4/90 and get ready to put him up on the Level of Excellence.

[Jonn]

4/90 and get ready to put him up on the Level of Excellence.

 

Do they even put people on the level of excellence anymore? Roy Halladay hasn't even made it yet.

[L54]

Do they even put people on the level of excellence anymore? Roy Halladay hasn't even made it yet.

 

No clue to be honest.

[burlingtonbandit]

I heard that Rogers actually wanted to cut payroll going into 2016 and Shapiro had to convince them not to.

 

I'm not expecting anything positive to happen with the payroll.

 

Thanks, Rogers.

 

Where did you hear this? I know Rogers is very stupid but having the year they had last year and cutting payroll has to be one of the dumbest PR moves you could make...

 

Just like not increasing payroll another 10-15% next year.

[CBlake]

If Rogers does not want to fall back to what this team was just a few years back, they have to get this deal done. I am sure the board exactly know what type of revenue boost this team has had with huge growth in attendance, tv ratings etc. A re-signing like this will go a long way in maintaining its current levels.

[flafson]

If Rogers does not want to fall back to what this team was just a few years back, they have to get this deal done. I am sure the board exactly know what type of revenue boost this team has had with huge growth in attendance, tv ratings etc. A re-signing like this will go a long way in maintaining its current levels.

 

The way they do the accounting for this team, I really doubt they care, it's a business they got for dirt cheap and they usually look at it differently than the rest of the league.

[Jimcanuck]

Already got Smoak

[Governator]

Already got Smoak

 

He's the answer.

[Olerud363]

Just let him walk. The Jays probably make the playoffs without him and team quality doesn't even matter in the playoffs.

 

A coin flip system actually predicts the winner more often than any other system, which means all other systems are actually inverted so team quality is a disadvantage in the playoffs.

 

The goal is to get as close to 90 wins as possible without going over. Edwin could be part of this. He is perfectly suited to help us to the sweet spot as he subtly declines. Won't tank us to 80 wins, but he won't drive us to 95 wins or (shudder) more.

[Governator]

If Rogers does not want to fall back to what this team was just a few years back, they have to get this deal done. I am sure the board exactly know what type of revenue boost this team has had with huge growth in attendance, tv ratings etc. A re-signing like this will go a long way in maintaining its current levels.

 

They didn't show when Bautista was the home run king or when Edwin broke out. People only care about winning here, not signing them is really not going to decide if we sell out or not, it's just less holes you have to fill by signing them considering signing free agents have been historically difficult. I guess I'm more neutral on it.

[RealAccountant]

I heard that Rogers actually wanted to cut payroll going into 2016 and Shapiro had to convince them not to.

 

I'm not expecting anything positive to happen with the payroll.

 

Thanks, Rogers.

 

From who Bob Mccowan

[RealAccountant]

Horrible timing it true

[intentional wok]

It's one thing to let Price walk but another thing entirely to let Edwin, nearly a Blue Jay lifer at this point, walk after that Wild Card game. Couple that with the failed negotiations in spring training and the optics of just letting him walk with a QO are just awful.

 

Unless Edwin wants to stay to the point of sacrificing SOME dollars, this offer will probably just have a face-saving effect. (Unless the Jays somehow offer him the top contract, but the chances of that are low considering the dozens of other suitors.)

 

(Also, this isn't a career year for Edwin despite what the article says. With a little bit of variation, his last five seasons have been nearly identical. He's amazing for that reason, not for a "career year" in 2016.)

[KingKat]

They didn't show when Bautista was the home run king or when Edwin broke out. People only care about winning here, not signing them is really not going to decide if we sell out or not, it's just less holes you have to fill by signing them considering signing free agents have been historically difficult. I guess I'm more neutral on it.

 

I'm pretty neutral too. I think the payroll will go up. Given that and given the position on the win curve, I don't think we need to be as paranoid about bad contracts as some people seem to be. There's justification for taking on some risk in exchange for short term gain.

[CHRIS]

It's one thing to let Price walk but another thing entirely to let Edwin, nearly a Blue Jay lifer at this point, walk after that Wild Card game.

 

I think this is where the good GMs earn their money. As great as that Wild Card moment was; as good as Edwin has been for us; you have to make a deal that makes sense going forward for this team, and not try to base it solely off his previous body of work.

 

By all means I think there is a deal out there that keeps Edwin here and makes him a lot of money in the process. I'd really like to see that happen. I just don't think you throw budgets and age curves out the window because of a moment.

Edited October 13, 2016 by CHRIS

[Bobthe4th]

I'm pretty neutral too. I think the payroll will go up. Given that and given the position on the win curve, I don't think we need to be as paranoid about bad contracts as some people seem to be. There's justification for taking on some risk in exchange for short term gain.

 

Exactly, a 4 year contract at no more than $25m per year isn't going to completely cripple the franchise. It would be an overpayment, but it's worth it and affordable in the future budget IMO. But if that doesn't get it done, then OK we'll have to move on.

[Bobthe4th]

Ignoring money I don't think anyone would try to argue we'd be better without EE. So logically if a contract offer is in budget then we should try to come to a deal with him, rather than just offering the QO and walking away.

[HERPDERP]

Let's hope it's all internally discussed among Blue Jays management, and they weren't dumb enough to approach E5 during the postseason with an offer...

[Atothe]

I love them fans of said team threatens the team owner with a future of impeding doom. "if you don't do such and such, such and such will happen *shakes fist*"