The New York Yankees Have Declined Edwin Encarnacion’s Option

In case you missed it, the New York Yankees announced on Thursday that the team will be declining DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion’s player option. If the team did pick up the option, he would be paid 20 million dollars in 2020.

The almost 37 year old was acquired in a trade from Seattle for prospect Juan Then back in June. Encarnacion played in just 43 games for the Yankees due to a few injuries.

For the entire season, Encarnacion hit .244 with 34 home runs and 86 RBIs. He had a 2.7 WAR, an OBP of almost .350, and an OPS of almost .900.

A big issue for him throughout the season was the strikeout, and it really affected him in the postseason. He looked completely lost against the Houston Astros, and only a few ALCS at-bats didn’t result in one.

Too Much To Keep

The Yankees would love to keep Edwin Encarnacion and his power, but it would be at the cost of too much money. If the Yankees could sign him for cheap, that’d be one thing, but 20 million dollars is way too much. The Yankees need to focus on a starting pitcher and possibly a corner infielder.

Encarnacion is now a free agent and is searching for a new home. With his age and the amount that he wants, don’t be surprised if it takes him close to Spring Training to sign a deal.

It was great having Edwin Encarnacion on the team in 2019, but due to his high strikeout rate, low batting average, and wanting too much money, the Yankees have to let him walk.