Indians’ newest slugger a good fit

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — There are a lot of toothy grins on display these days with the Cleveland Indians, whose signing of Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million contract — the richest in team history — as a free agent this winter gives the reigning American League champions a middleof-the-order slugger unlike any they’ve had since Albert Belle, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez anchored some of those potent Cleveland teams in the 1990s.

After eight seasons in Toronto, Encarnacion has a new home — and an unexpected one.

When free agency opened, the small-market Indians were perceived as the longest of long shots to sign Encarnacion, who hit 42 homers and led the league with 127 RBIs in 2016.

There were as many as four other teams better financially positioned to sign this 34-year-old, who seemed destined to resume his career in Boston or Texas or anywhere but Cleveland.

But he chose the Indians because of their potential to be playing again deep into October.

“I made the decision to come here, because here I have the opportunity to win the World Series,” said Encarnacion, whose 193 homers over the past five seasons are the second most in the majors.

“This team, they look great and I think they have great, young talented players here. We have a lot of opportunity to be in the World Series again and win it.”

Encarnacion’s arrival cements the Indians as a team to beat in the AL.

He fits perfectly into a stacked lineup that will include young stars Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis and could have back Michael Brantley after the former AllStar outfielder played in just 11 games in 2016.

One thing is certain — manager Terry Francona knows who will be batting cleanup.

“You put a bat in the middle that you’re not penciling in, you’re putting it in ink,” Francona said.

But while the three-time All-Star has established himself as one of baseball’s most feared hitters, Encarnacion doesn’t flaunt his status or celebrity. He’s happy being one of the guys.

“He definitely has a presence. That has been clear since the minute he got here. But I think he’s much more of a quiet, lead-by-example type of guy,” general manager Mike Chernoff said.

“We did a lot of work on him in the offseason with our scouts and reaching out to contacts. And everybody said on all fronts that he is a leader.”