If it wasn’t the starting pitching rotation that needed more reinforcements, why not go out and grab another big bat to add to the lineup. At this point, it seems as if run support is the supplement for bad pitching, which has proven to work in the past. The New York Yankees have traded for Seattle Mariners star, Edwin Encarnacion.
Edwin Encarnación has been traded from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Encarnación currently leads the American League with 21 home runs. The Mariners’ teardown is in full bloom and the Yankees get another big bat.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 16, 2019
Leading the American League with 21 home runs, Encarnacion will be a lethal addition to the lineup and likely slot in at the first base position while Luke Voit drops into the designated hitter and rotational role.
Edwin was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Mariners in a three-team swap last offseason. Clearly, the Mariners are trying to rebuild and got a rather sweet deal from the Yanks. I imagine it includes plenty of youth.
Among Active players, Encarnacion has a total of 401 homers behind Albert Pujols (644) and Miguel Cabrera (468). Pairing him with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez will make the Yankees’ lineup one of the most daunting in baseball.
In addition to his stellar bat, the Mariner brings an elite glove to the first base position as well. Joining a group consisting of Gio Urshela, Didi Gregorius, and Gleyber Torres, Encarnacion is essentially the final piece to the puzzle.