Encarnacion Heads South

With the World Junior Hockey Championships taking part in both Montreal and Toronto, you would think this would be front page.

Well for many Canadians it is, but for other Torontonian’s the word on the street is about how the Jay’s were unable to sign  Encarnacion to a contract, who incidentally turns 34 next month.

Many feel he is the hope of the team making any run at the World Series, but one individual simply does not  and is not going to win a championship by himself – unless it’s Tennis.

By many in the baseball world he’s simply a power-hitter, who last year had 42 HR’s with 127 RBI’s this past year for the Jay’s.

Over the past five (5) years he has averaged 39 HR’s going along with 110 RBI’s in 145 games played.

He’s a three-time All-Star who was sought after by other clubs including the Jay’s and it’s reported that he turned down a four-year deal with Toronto for around $80 million then decided to hit the open market to test the waters.

He was apparently pursued by Oakland as well as Cleveland and it apparently wasn’t about the money as he came to terms with Cleveland for a three-year deal worth $60 million.

The deal includes a club option for 2020 and if it was exercised could be worth as much as $80 million over four deals.

The deal is apparently pending on his physical exam, which isn’t to take part until January 2017, but no specific date was released.

The signing means that the Indians will not pursue free agent (first baseman) Mike Napoli who reached his career best 34 HR’s and 101 RBI’s as well as giving the Indians a power hitter from the right side of the plate.

This is a huge move for Cleveland Owner Paul Dolan, who as of late has been reluctant to sign free agents to his club roster as others simply never worked out for him or the club.

Due to the fact that he (Encarnacion) never accepted the Jay’s qualifying  offer of $17.2 million, the Indians lose a first-round draft pick, #25 overall as long as the deal is finalized.

In the end the Jay’s would gain an extra pick at the end of the first round in the draft.

The question is will this be a home run for the Indians or a foul ball for the Jay’s and will it help fill the seats in Cleveland??