Encarnacion to M’s in three-team swap
Former Jays slugger off to Seattle as winter meetings close, but he may not stay there long
LAS VEGAS — Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto was in the hospital, making a trade from a bed.
Cleveland counterpart Chris Antonetti was boarding a plane headed back home, trying to finalize the deal before the flight pulled away from the gate.
They managed to complete the swap as the winter meetings came to an end. Carlos Santana was sent back to Cleveland, where he was an Indians fan favourite. Edwin Encarnacion, the former Blue Jays’ slugger, is headed to Seattle. No telling how long he’ll stick there.
The star hitters were dealt for each other Thursday, part of a three-team trade that also involved Tampa Bay.
The Rays got infielder Yandy Diaz and minor-league right-hander Cole Sulser from Cleveland. The Indians also acquired first baseman Jake Bauers from Tampa Bay, while the busy Mariners wound up with a draft pick. Tampa Bay will send $5 million to Seattle and the Mariners will pay $6 million to Cleveland.
“I called Edwin earlier this morning before we had final sign-off because again I wanted him to hear from me,” Antonetti said after landing, adding he was in midflight when he finally reached Diaz.
Dipoto made likely the first winter meetings deal from a medical facility since 2006, when Jim Hendry, then-Chicago Cubs general manager, was taken for angioplasty as he was finalizing an agreement with pitcher Ted Lilly for 2007. Dipoto felt ill a day earlier and was checked “out of an abundance of caution,” the team said.
“We’ll see how it goes with Edwin, whether he stays with us or he moves on to another destination,” Seattle assistant general manager Justin Hollander said.
Coming off their third straight AL Central, the Indians had been expected to make a move at the meetings, presumably with ace Corey Kluber or pitcher Trevor Bauer.
Instead, they jettisoned Encarnacion — the designated hitter has averaged 108 RBIs over the last seven seasons — and brought back the popular Santana. “Not sure how to feel,” Indians star Jose Ramirez tweeted.
The 32-year-old Santana, known for his power and ability to draw walks, spent the first eight seasons of his career in Cleveland before signing a $60 million, three-year deal with Philadelphia last winter. He is still owed $35 million.
Philadelphia sent Santana to the rebuilding Mariners this month in a trade that included All-Star shortstop Jean Segura. Seattle quickly parted with Santana, who was appreciated by Indians rooters even more after he left. “We know what makes him tick. We know all of the things that he brings to a team into a clubhouse, so that does help,” Antonetti said.
Santana hit .229 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs while walking 110 times as the Phillies’ first baseman. He is owed $17 million next season and $17.5 million in 2020, part of a deal that includes a $17.5 million team option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.
Yonder Alonso hit 23 homers with 83 RBIs last season as the Indians’ first baseman. He’s signed for 2019 with an option for 2020 — with the additions of Santana and Bauers, perhaps Alonso could end up in a trade along with one of Cleveland’s star pitchers.
Encarnacion had 107 RBIs while hitting 32 homers and .246. He leads the majors in homers and RBIs since 2012, and could provide the power lost when DH Nelson Cruz became a free agent.
A month before he turns 36, Encarnacion is guaranteed $25 million: $20 million next season and a $5 million buyout of a $25 million club option for 2020.
KELLY DESTINED FOR DODGERS
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that reliever Joe Kelly has agreed to a $25 million, three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not yet been announced.
JAYS GRAB PITCHER IN RULE 5 DRAFT
Blue Jays picked up righthanded pitcher Elvis Luciano from the Kansas City Royals on Thursday in the Rule 5 draft while losing Canadian right-hander Jordan Romano in the selection process.
Luciano, an 18-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is 9-6 with a 3.37 earnedrun average through two seasons in rookie league affiliates with Arizona and Kansas City.