The holiday gifts keep coming from the front office. The Chicago White Sox and free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal that includes a $1 million signing bonus. There is also a $12 million club option for 2021 with no buyout. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman and ESPN’s Jeff Passan are among those who have confirmed the deal along with Hector Gomez’s initial report.
BREAKING: White Sox and Edwin Encarnacion have made a deal: 12 million, 1-Year, with $12 million option for 2021.@z101digital @ZDeportes
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) December 26, 2019
Encarnacion spent half of last season with the Seattle Mariners before being traded to the New York Yankees. Between the two teams, the 36-year-old slashed .244/.344/.531 with 34 home runs, 18 doubles, 86 RBI, .875 OPS, and a 2.7 WAR in 109 games played.
This move provides the White Sox offense with even more pop heading into next year. Encarnacion will likely serve primarily as the designated hitter, while also giving Jose Abreu an occasional rest over at first base. This deal isn’t a long-term one, but it definitely reinforces the 2020 lineup that’s now looking quite scary. Here’s what opposing teams can expect to go up against in some form or another:
- Luis Robert (CF)
- Yoan Moncada (3B)
- Jose Abreu (1B)
- Edwin Encarnacion (DH)
- Yasmani Grandal (C)
- Eloy Jimenez (LF)
- Tim Anderson (SS)
- Nick Madrigal (2B)
- Nomar Mazara (RF)
Questions still linger about the White Sox’ rumored interest in Nicholas Castellanos, especially now after this signing. We’ll see what transpires over the next days and weeks while the hot stove is burning strong.
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Featured Photo: Indians/Twitter
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