Blue Jays miss out on landing slugger Edwin Encarnacion

It appears the Toronto Blue Jays have missed out on a potential reunion with Edwin Encarnacion as the slugger has inked a pact with the Chicago White Sox.

It was reported last week that the Toronto Blue Jays had an offer on the table for the services of Edwin Encarnacion. The team then signed Travis Shaw and opinions were mixed if that would prohibit the brain trust from forging ahead with the reunion.

Unfortunately, the father of Encarnacion had passed away and it was reported that no decision would be made until after the holidays as Encarnacion tended to his family. Late last night, reports broke out that the White Sox and Encarnacion agreed on a one-year deal with an option for 2021.

Encarnacion will be guaranteed $11 million in 2019 with a team option for a second year that includes a $1 million dollar buyout. The 35-year old thumped 34 homers last season between the Mariners and Yankees in 109 games.

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Aside from nostalgia purposes, Eddie and the parrot would have provided the Blue Jays lineup with a legitimate power threat in the middle of the order while adding lineup protection for the team’s young sluggers.

Encarnacion spent eight seasons north of the border concluding his tenure in Toronto following the 2016 season. In 999 games with the Blue Jays, the slugger hit .268/.355/.522 with 239 homers and a 24.3 WAR.

One would have to figure, the White Sox took the negotiations one step further offering more of a financial windfall when it was all said and done. The South Siders have been one of the busiest and more aggressive teams this offseason already adding the likes of Nomar Mazara, Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez and Tayron Guerrero thus far.

It will be interesting to see where the Jays brain trust looks next to improve their roster but you can damn-well guarantee they are not done adding. Best of luck Eddie and thanks again for the memories.