Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that, prior to signing slugger Kendrys Morales to a three-year, $33 million contract, the Blue Jays offered a four-year, $80 million contract to free agent Edwin Encarnacion. Heyman adds that the Jays are still interested in bringing Encarnacion back even after signing Morales.
Encarnacion, who turns 34 years old in January, hit .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs and an AL-best 127 RBI in 702 plate appearances this past season. He’s been one of baseball’s most productive hitters over the last five seasons and has even made some strides defensively at first base. Encarnacion just completed what turned out to be a four-year, $37 million contract, so the Jays’ most recent offer represents a significant pay raise.
With Morales in the fold, the DH spot is mostly spoken for in Toronto, so bringing Encarnacion back for full-time work at first base would push Justin Smoak back to the bench and likely would make him a trade candidate.
