The Blue Jays and 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion had preliminary contract extension cards early in spring training, but the two sides weren’t able to make much progress before the regular season began. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that the two sides may revisit extension talks at the All-Star break, but adds that it doesn’t seem likely Encarnacion would forego free agency.
Encarnacion, 33, has been one of the game’s premier power hitters since the 2012 season. Since the beginning of that season, he has swatted 153 home runs in 2,520 plate appearances, an average of nearly 40 home runs per 650 plate appearances. He and Jose Bautista have arguably been the most feared 3-4 punch in any lineup.
Encarnacion is earning $10 million this season after the Jays exercised their club option in November. It’s the final year of what turned out to be a four-year, $39 million contract signed in July 2012.
