Encarnacion feels love in Cleveland
CLEVELAND • With his family watching proudly, Edwin Encarnacion stood in front of his new locker inside Cleveland’s clubhouse, pulled on a fitted cap and slowly buttoned the front of his white No. 10 jersey.
Once finished, he pointed to the Indians logo on his chest and flashed a huge smile as cameras clicked. It felt seamless. “He’s a perfect fit for our team,” Indians president Chris Antonetti said Thursday. In so many ways. The Indians, accustomed to being outspent for highpriced free agents winter and winter, introduced Encarnacion, a premium player for the middle of their lineup who will boost attendance and maybe help them win the World Series.
One of baseball’s most productive hitters over the past five years, Encarnacion finalized a $65 million, three-year contract with an option for a fourth year — the richest in Cleveland history — with a team that got to Game 7 of the World Series last season.
Encarnacion’s deal would be worth $ 80 million over four years if the Indians exercise a $25 million option for 2020 that includes a $5 million buyout. There are also attendances bonuses built in as both the Indians and Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, recognized the threetime All-Star’s ability to spin turnstiles.
“He’s a quiet guy that just goes out and grinds every day,” Kinzer said. “This is a blue- collar town and he’s a blue- collar guy. Cleveland is going to love him.”
Encarnacion averaged 39 homers and 110 RBIs over the past five seasons with Toronto, which made it to the AL Championship Series last season only to be eliminated in five games by the Indians. Encarnacion, who turns 34 on Saturday, watched Cleveland’s players celebrate at Rogers Centre that day in October not ever imagining he would be joining them a little over two months later.
But while he figured to land with Boston or Texas or in another major market, Cleveland’s pitch was the most persistent.
And although he could have made more money elsewhere, Encarnacion wanted to join a winner and the Indians, with one of the majors’ best pitching staffs and a lineup featuring young stars in Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis, are positioned to contend for years.
“That’s why I came here,” he said. “I believe in this team and I know we can win the World Series with the talent that we have.”
The Indians’ courtship of Encarnacion began with owner Paul Dolan’s commitment to building on the momentum created by the team’s first AL Central title and Series appearance since 1997. Cleveland was bolstered by cleanup hitter Mike Napoli, who set career highs in homers and RBIs during his one season with the Indians.
There were better options available and after deciding not to re-sign Napoli, the Indians focused on Encarnacion, who hit 42 homers and drove in 127 runs last season. Antonetti didn’t have to sell Dolan on Encarnacion’s obvious talents. The challenge was convincing him that the three- time All-Star was worth a long- term financial obligation.
“It took a lot of work to make that happen, both compromises from our side and compromises from Edwin’s side to make this fit and be the right fit for both teams,” Antonetti said. “And it took a great leap of faith by ownership to make this extraordinary investment.”