Encarnacion’s agent on Blue Jays: ‘That’s his first choice’

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to hold regular talks with Edwin Encarnacion, according to his agent Paul Kinzer.

Encarnacion is reportedly seeking a $25 million annual salary on the open market, and while the two sides have not found a common ground, Kinzer says that his client still has Toronto atop his list.

“That’s his first choice,” Kinzer told Jeff Blair this morning on The Fan 590 in Toronto.

Kinzer further detailed his client’s ideal fit as a free agent, something that continues to have an increased emphasis on comfort.

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“There’s a short list of where he would go to,” he said. “He loves winning, so he wants it to be a team that’s going to be competing for a championship. He’s not a flashy guy. He’s very much about comfort and he wants it to be a city where he knows he and his family will be comfortable and enjoy living.”

Encarnacion has been with the Blue Jays for eight seasons after first arriving in 2009, and has spoken to the comfort level he has in this market in the past. This is also the market where Encarnacion blossomed from a flawed power bat into one of the game’s most consistent and feared offensive threats.

With a strong showing defensively at first base this season and in the playoffs, Encarnacion will comfortably be viewed by many teams as being more flexible than a DH-only bat.

Kinzer also noted that Encarnacion was a better hitter when playing in the field, which is true. As a DH, Encarnacion posted an .843 OPS, but that number jumped up to .933 when he saw time at first base.