Indians sign Encarnacion

[Rusty_Savage]

Got an update from the score saying EE wanted 4/100 after the Jays offered him the 4/80 deal

[Terminator]

Got to wonder how a guy from Douglasville, Georgia becomes one of the most influential agents in Latin America.

 

Must say that I do respect that he's written his daughter-in-law's title as Equipment and Client Servicing.

 

Yeah that surprised me that he has such a large Latino client base. You'd think he'd have a lot of southern guys.

[TheHurl]

Thanks for the link. His client list still looks pretty meh. Castro got a nice sized contract but outside of that there isn't much $ there.

 

Aramis Ramirez and his $150M career scoff at you with hundred dollar bills.

[King]

Got an update from the score saying EE wanted 4/100 after the Jays offered him the 4/80 deal

 

25 mil AAV for a mid 30s, fat 1B/DH. He can kick rocks

[Jonn]

I just don't understand how you can comfortably accept 3/65 after declining 4/80 and asking for 4/100

 

Whatever it's done. If Edwin truly wanted to stay in Toronto than it should have happened. They probably should have played it out differently but it's not worth getting upset about. Bottom line we lost a star player. Let Bautista leave and get the other pick. It makes zero sense to resign him.

[TheHurl]

One thing Kinzer has done well is he has deflected all hatred away from EE. I don't think I've ever seen a player sign away from a team and take zero backlash but not a bad word anywhere directed at Edwin.

[Manny Lees Barber]

One thing Kinzer has done well is he has deflected all hatred away from EE. I don't think I've ever seen a player sign away from a team and take zero backlash but not a bad word anywhere directed at Edwin.

 

Give it time.

[wk680]

I just don't understand how you can comfortably accept 3/65 after declining 4/80 and asking for 4/100

 

Whatever it's done. If Edwin truly wanted to stay in Toronto than it should have happened. They probably should have played it out differently but it's not worth getting upset about. Bottom line we lost a star player. Let Bautista leave and get the other pick. It makes zero sense to resign him.

 

As one who doesn't like Bautista and was looking forward to seeing him move on, I disagree. With the current situation, signing him back makes sense both for what his bat can do for the offense AND to placate the fan base. If they can get him for 2 years, $35M or even 1 yr $20M it seems a reasonable move to make. Also, I am not buying into this $10M dollar value of a draft pick versus passing on a known commodity on a team that is still in a small window to contend with a lot of aging players. It's still go time for one more year (without doing an AA and gutting the farm).

[BlueJayWay]

Then there's this. Wonder if true.

 

[burlingtonbandit]

Aramis Ramirez and his $150M career scoff at you with hundred dollar bills.

 

I said anymore... He had Rios too but like I said he doesn't have anymore big name contracts coming up. Maybe DeLeon but a lot has to go right there.

[wk680]

One thing Kinzer has done well is he has deflected all hatred away from EE. I don't think I've ever seen a player sign away from a team and take zero backlash but not a bad word anywhere directed at Edwin.

 

He wanted his cake and eat it too. Jays probably would have had to wait a month (after Winter Meetings) to have him decide their 4/$80M was 'competitive' and circle back around. Then they would have missed many other DH opportunities in the meantime. If he would have REALLY wanted to stay in TO, he would have taken the contract after the first few days of talks with other teams went nowhere. Also for a player who is a true class act and not motivated by greed: see Pedroia, Dustin. Now that is a guy you can be happy to have your kids look up to (he happens to be my son's favorite).

[HERPDERP]

Then there's this. Wonder if true.

 

 

if true, it reinforces that the Jays FO just didn't want anything to do with them. It really is perplexing.

[Manny Lees Barber]

He wanted his cake and eat it too. Jays probably would have had to wait a month (after Winter Meetings) to have him decide their 4/$80M was 'competitive' and circle back around. Then they would have missed many other DH opportunities in the meantime. If he would have REALLY wanted to stay in TO, he would have taken the contract after the first few days of talks with other teams went nowhere. Also for a player who is a true class act and not motivated by greed: see Pedroia, Dustin. Now that is a guy you can be happy to have your kids look up to (he happens to be my son's favorite).

 

 

Really brings your parenting skills into question, if true

[Boxcar]

if true, it reinforces that the Jays FO just didn't want anything to do with them. It really is perplexing.

 

They must be predicting a big decline. Only thing that really makes sense.

[ICECOLDBEER]

Screw Edwin. He's a weed smoking degenerate rapist. I hope he totally shits the bed in Cleveland.

[Manny Lees Barber]

if true, it reinforces that the Jays FO just didn't want anything to do with them. It really is perplexing.

 

I don't think it's that perplexing at all. You look at the number of times throughout last season where the real leaders of the Team (Donaldson, Tulo, Martin) were subtly expressing concern for "some" players attitudes. Eddie plays for himself, whether the fans love him or not. One of the "clubhouse problems" was Eddie not caring if the team won or lost. Guys like Tulo and Martin have reached the pinnacle before, and they clearly wanted to do it again - it's obvious JD wants to. It must piss them off seeing guys who are great, but who don't care for the Team.

[Terminator]

I don't think it's that perplexing at all. You look at the number of times throughout last season where the real leaders of the Team (Donaldson, Tulo, Martin) were subtly expressing concern for "some" players attitudes. Eddie plays for himself, whether the fans love him or not. One of the "clubhouse problems" was Eddie not caring if the team won or lost. Guys like Tulo and Martin have reached the pinnacle before, and they clearly wanted to do it again - it's obvious JD wants to. It must piss them off seeing guys who are great, but who don't care for the Team.

 

This is troll bait. Everyone ignore.

[Terminator]

They must be predicting a big decline. Only thing that really makes sense.

 

It is really weird. But if they are predicting a big decline why offer 4 for 80 to begin with?

 

None of this makes sense. I guess they just viewed the Morales and Pearce signings as having no room for Edwin? Edwin could play 100 games at 1B and Pearce could just play LF full time though couldn't he?

 

Perhaps that rumor just isn't true.

[Pendleton]

Screw Edwin. He's a weed smoking degenerate rapist. I hope he totally shits the bed in Cleveland.

 

I don't think it's that perplexing at all. You look at the number of times throughout last season where the real leaders of the Team (Donaldson, Tulo, Martin) were subtly expressing concern for "some" players attitudes. Eddie plays for himself, whether the fans love him or not. One of the "clubhouse problems" was Eddie not caring if the team won or lost. Guys like Tulo and Martin have reached the pinnacle before, and they clearly wanted to do it again - it's obvious JD wants to. It must piss them off seeing guys who are great, but who don't care for the Team.

 

[Governator]

It is really weird. But if they are predicting a big decline why offer 4 for 80 to begin with?

 

None of this makes sense. I guess they just viewed the Morales and Pearce signings as having no room for Edwin? Edwin could play 100 games at 1B and Pearce could just play LF full time though couldn't he?

 

Perhaps that rumor just isn't true.

 

I think they offered EE 4/80 knowing he likely wouldn't accept it at the time. It makes them look good to the fans that they tried and made a competitive offer.

 

"Win the crowd win your freedom."

[intentional wok]

It is really weird. But if they are predicting a big decline why offer 4 for 80 to begin with?

 

None of this makes sense. I guess they just viewed the Morales and Pearce signings as having no room for Edwin? Edwin could play 100 games at 1B and Pearce could just play LF full time though couldn't he?

 

Perhaps that rumor just isn't true.

 

Yeah, what would they have done if EE accepted the original 4/80? Psyched him out and pulled it off the table? Clearly they were interested in his services and didn't think he'd hit anything close to a wall yet. And, though I'm not in the know whatsoever, I doubt it's standard practice to play chicken with 80 million dollars.

 

If it's true that EE went back to the team and got turned away for a lesser deal than the one he just signed for, then that's a big thumbs down for the FO from me. No way is a Pearce/Morales/Smoak arrangement worth passing up EE. They'd be saying 'no' to a big upgrade to maintain the commitment to a slightly above average set-up. Cut Smoak, stick Pearce in left, let EE mash for a couple more years.

Edited December 23, 2016 by intentional wok

[Terminator]

If it's true that EE went back to the team and got turned away for a lesser deal than the one he just signed for, then that's a big thumbs down for the FO from me. No way is a Pearce/Morales/Smoak arrangement worth passing up EE. They'd be saying 'no' to a big upgrade to maintain the commitment to a slightly above average set-up. Cut Smoak, stick Pearce in left, let EE mash for a couple more years.

 

Yeah that defensive setup isn't ideal but that's what happens when you sign strict DHs like Morales. Edwin is passable enough at 1B, Pearce is passable enough in LF, and let Morales spell EE at 1B for 50-60 games. It'd work fine for this season. They could make a deal after the year to figure something else out.

[wk680]

Really brings your parenting skills into question, if true

 

It's 'complicated'. The boy was born and lived first 2 years of his life in MA. So he decided the Sox were his team when he started following MLB, which was after we had long since moved to Indiana (where there is no home team to cheer for). But rest assured, the Jays run a close second for him.

 

As far as Pedroia, he may be an irritating little pr**k, when he is on the opposing team, but you can't deny his hustle and is a down to Earth guy who really did sign for a very team friendly long term extension because staying in Boston was priority number 1. EE was just talk where that is concerned.

[Frenchsoup]

Edwin was one of the best value free agents I've seen out there in a while. He also wanted to be a Blue Jay for life. This one stings.. O sweet we get a draft pick(more pool money, could get multiple players) in the low 30's that will maybe help us in 2018?

[intentional wok]

Yeah that defensive setup isn't ideal but that's what happens when you sign strict DHs like Morales. Edwin is passable enough at 1B, Pearce is passable enough in LF, and let Morales spell EE at 1B for 50-60 games. It'd work fine for this season. They could make a deal after the year to figure something else out.

 

FWIW I'm skeptical that EE showed up with his tail between his legs anyway.

 

Though, on the other hand, there's that thing about him not accepting a huge Oakland deal. So who knows. EE certainly did not come out on top, though. Perhaps the Indians like him enough in three years to spend $15M more with the year-4 option, but he'd have had that guaranteed already with Toronto.

[BTS]

They must be predicting a big decline. Only thing that really makes sense.

 

The investment is in line with what you'd expect to see if a team believes he's going to give them 8-9 wins over the next three years. It seems clear that the team isn't expecting him to be that good. There were signs of decline in 2016, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. If Edwin is a 120 wRC+ guy now, they look good for passing. If he's back to 150 it's pretty questionable.

[jerb]

 

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[BTS]

Yeah, what would they have done if EE accepted the original 4/80? Psyched him out and pulled it off the table? Clearly they were interested in his services and didn't think he'd hit anything close to a wall yet. And, though I'm not in the know whatsoever, I doubt it's standard practice to play chicken with 80 million dollars.

 

If it's true that EE went back to the team and got turned away for a lesser deal than the one he just signed for, then that's a big thumbs down for the FO from me. No way is a Pearce/Morales/Smoak arrangement worth passing up EE. They'd be saying 'no' to a big upgrade to maintain the commitment to a slightly above average set-up. Cut Smoak, stick Pearce in left, let EE mash for a couple more years.

 

We still don't actually know for sure, as far as I can tell, that a firm 4/80 was ever on the table. Reports said it was around that much, but for all we know it was a 2/40 guarantee with a couple of 20M team options tacked on. With everything that's happened I'd be mildly surprised if a guaranteed 4/80 was offered.

[Boxcar]

I think they offered EE 4/80 knowing he likely wouldn't accept it at the time. It makes them look good to the fans that they tried and made a competitive offer.

 

"Win the crowd win your freedom."

 

Samesies.

[Boxcar]

Yeah, what would they have done if EE accepted the original 4/80? Psyched him out and pulled it off the table? Clearly they were interested in his services and didn't think he'd hit anything close to a wall yet. And, though I'm not in the know whatsoever, I doubt it's standard practice to play chicken with 80 million dollars.

 

If it's true that EE went back to the team and got turned away for a lesser deal than the one he just signed for, then that's a big thumbs down for the FO from me. No way is a Pearce/Morales/Smoak arrangement worth passing up EE. They'd be saying 'no' to a big upgrade to maintain the commitment to a slightly above average set-up. Cut Smoak, stick Pearce in left, let EE mash for a couple more years.

 

I think it's easy to look at steamer and say "the Jays should do this and that" but if Shatkins and co. are seeing a big drop off coming for Edwin, why commit that money to him?

 

I'm gonna give them a little leeway here. I have been an Edwin fan since before it was cool, and I'm sad to see him go. Being said, I wouldn't want to be locked in to a sub 2 WAR player for 4 years. Shatkins have made a perplexing decision already with the Smoak deal but they've been excellent outside of that. They've invested in their high performance department. I'm confident that they have enough information to make a move that is best for the team.