Edwin Encarnacion To The Red Sox Doesn't Sound Too Promising
The biggest task that the Red Sox will face this offseason will be replacing David Ortiz.
You’ll never be able to replace Ortiz in the literal sense, because he’s a once in a generation-type player, but the Red Sox will have the unfortunate task of trying to find similar offensive production in somebody else. I say “similar” because he was the top offensive player in the game this year, so it would be physically impossible to bring in a player who matched or exceeded what Ortiz did at the plate in his final season.
In 2016, Ortiz hit .315, and led the majors with a 1.021 OPS, .620 slugging percentage, 48 doubles, and 87 extra-base hits. He was also tied for the American League lead with 127 RBI, and blasted 38 homers, the 8th most in the league. I mentioned how Ortiz was tied for the league lead in RBI — he was tied with Edwin Encarnacion, who hit .263 with an .886 OPS, 34 doubles, 42 homers, and 127 RBI. As we all know, Encarnacion is a free agent, and was looking to be the most obvious candidate to be the successor to David Ortiz’s throne in Boston. Ortiz thought so, too, and even said so publicly at the All Star Game this year.
“The Red Sox know also they need to bring a force in the middle of the lineup (after Ortiz retires),” said Ortiz. “And sorry, Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?”
He’s not wrong. Encarnacion is the only free agent who comes remotely close to what Ortiz did for the Red Sox in 2016, but it doesn’t sound like the Red Sox themselves are too keen on taking Ortiz’s advice.
According to a major league source, the Red Sox are “probably” not going to be a finalist for the services of free agent first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion.
This isn’t all that shocking, especially when you consider that report from earlier this month that said the Red Sox want Carlos Beltran “badly”. The Astros, Yankees and Rangers are all still in on Beltran, so I wonder if Boston’s interest in Encarnacion will change if Beltran gets scooped up by somebody else first. But usually in free agency, the bigger dominos fall first, which means that Encarnacion will likely sign before Beltran. According to Encarnacion’s agent, his client is looking to sign with a team some time later this week, or early next week, so we’ll have some answers soon, assuming that his agent is telling the truth, and we all know that agents are 100% completely honest. Always.
In Rob Bradford’s report, he also makes an interesting note that the luxury tax threshold will likely be raised as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, which has not been agreed upon yet. He also mentioned that the Red Sox are, in fact, waiting to see what that new threshold is. So, could that play a factor in whether or not Boston re-enters the Encarnacion sweepstakes? Stay tuned.