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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hit his 40th home run of the season in Friday’s 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels, joining Carlos Delgado and outfielder Jose Bautista as the only players in franchise history to record multiple 40-homer seasons in a Toronto uniform, per Sportsnet Stats.

With the Blue Jays already leading 3-0 in the top of the ninth inning, Encarnacion drove a two-run blast far over the left-center field fence off Angels reliever Homer Bailey.

The insurance runs ultimately proved to be unnecessary, as Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna held the Angels scoreless in the bottom of the ninth to keep his team two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

With his contract up at the end of this season and the Blue Jays already having a ton of money committed to the offensive side, Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported Encarnacion could join the Red Sox as a replacement for legendary designated hitter David Ortiz, who plans to retire at the end of this season.

One of MLB‘s most consistent hitters in recent years, the 33-year-old Encarnacion has hit 34 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons, topping out at 42 in 2012.

With 15 games remaining on the schedule, he still has plenty of time to set a new personal single-season best for long balls.

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A woman is suing Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion for battery, TMZ Sports revealed on Monday. 

The woman alleges Encarnacion gave her two sexually transmitted diseases following a February trip to the Dominican Republic and is requesting more than $11.5 million in damages. Encarnacion’s agent offered no comment to TMZ Sports regarding the allegations.

A league official told John Lott of Vice Sports that MLB had no statement regarding a potential investigation as of Monday. 

Encarnacion’s agent Paul Kinzer commented on the lawsuit in a statement released to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi on Tuesday:

[Encarnacion] will take every legal measure to defend himself against this frivolous claim, and will bring appropriate claims in the appropriate forums against all of the individuals seeking to exploit his financial position. This is an unacceptable attack on his exceptional character and stellar reputation within the baseball community as a man who carries himself with the highest level of integrity. …

Mr. Encarnacion will not be commenting on this matter. He will not allow this to distract from his continued focus of contributing to his team’s success. We kindly ask that his privacy be respected.

The woman said she had an STD test following a separate encounter with a Blue Jays player in 2015, and the results came back negative for any disease. After returning from the Dominican Republic, the woman visited a doctor, who discovered the presence of two STDs.

The woman alleges Encarnacion misled her as to whether he had any STDs at the time of their February rendezvous.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

If you’re a fan of star-studded Major League Baseball free-agent classes, I come bearing bad news. There’s not going to be one this winter. Sorry.

But hey, at least Edwin Encarnacion will be out there. That’s something. A big something, even.

The Toronto Blue Jays slugger is one of those guys who’s easy to lose sight of, but he’s also someone you just know is probably doing his thing at any given moment. Sure enough, doing his thing is how he contributed to a 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. In the ninth inning, he clocked the ball over the left field fence and rounded the bases with his right arm cocked out:

Encarnacion’s latest long ball was his 30th of 2016. The 33-year-old has now topped 30 dingers in each of the last five seasons, which rearranges the list of all the players who have done so to look like this:

• Edwin Encarnacion

Yup. That’s it. Just him.

Encarnacion also boasts a .902 OPS, putting him on track to make it five straight seasons with an OPS that begins with a nine. He has some company in that club, but it’s only one kinda-sorta-very important guy: Mike Trout.

For at least the next two months, the Blue Jays can take facts and figures like these as a reminder that they’re lucky to have Encarnacion. He wasn’t considered a top asset when he first came to town in 2009. Then came some of the best power in the game, which hasn’t regressed as he’s gotten older. Before long, it could help the Blue Jays win a second straight American League East title.

But after the next couple of months pass into legend, Encarnacion’s power will be available to the highest bidder.

The Blue Jays signed Encarnacion to one extension when they locked him up on a three-year, $29 million deal back in 2012. That’s turned out to be a severe underpay, so it’s no wonder he isn’t looking to settle for less than market value as he heads toward free agency.

Back in April, this was the situation, as told by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports:

Odds are Toronto’s next offer to Encarnacion will only be the qualifying offer. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported it will be worth $16.7 million this winter, per sources. That’s a lot of money, but Encarnacion would surely turn it down and risk going out into the open market with draft-pick compensation hanging over his head.

There’s a sliver of a chance of that strategy backfiring. If there’s anything the free-agent market is as wary or more wary of than players tied to draft-pick compensation, it’s older players. With his age-34 season due up in 2017, Encarnacion will fit both descriptions.

He’s also not without his flaws. He can hold his own at first base, but the best role for him will be as a full-time designated hitter. And with his previously excellent contact habit now merely average, at least one age-related crack is starting to show at the plate.

However, Encarnacion has two precedents from 2014 to turn to for hope. Nelson Cruz came off his age-33 season and got four years and $57 million from the Seattle Mariners, and Victor Martinez came off his age-35 season and got four years and $68 million from the Detroit Tigers. Good money for two older, bat-only players.

If there’s a handicap Encarnacion will face that neither of those two had to, it’s that the state of offense in MLB has changed dramatically. When Cruz and Martinez were free agents, the league was coming off a season when the average slugging percentage was .386. That number has skyrocketed to .417 in 2016, thanks to a barrage of dingers that has people talking about juiced balls and juiced players.

But teams are always going to need power. And this winter, the power market won’t have anyone who can measure up to Encarnacion.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports wrote in May that this winter will feature the worst free-agent class in decades. Part of the raw deal is a shortage of good power bats. The other big ones outside of Encarnacion will belong to fellow (for now) Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, Mark Trumbo and, in all likelihood, Yoenis Cespedes. All three can match Encarnacion in raw power but not in consistency.

Even if his market is limited to American League clubs searching for a first base/DH type, it’s already apparent he could have one interested suitor in Boston. The Red Sox are due to say goodbye to longtime DH David Ortiz, and he knows who he wants to take up his mantle.

“The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup,” Ortiz said over the All-Star break, per Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald. “And sorry, Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?”

Then, Ortiz’s comments prompted MLB to open a tampering investigation. This offseason, the team could have president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and other Red Sox executives nodding in agreement. Encarnacion would indeed help the Red Sox replace Big Papi’s lost production. And as Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe noted, Red Sox skipper John Farrell and coaches Torey Lovullo and Brian Butterfield are all former Blue Jays who are fans of Encarnacion.

Apart from the Red Sox, other clubs that could be on the lookout for a power-hitting first base/DH type this winter are the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. If a couple of National League clubs are willing to roll the dice on him as a first baseman, his market will be robust.

It then wouldn’t be surprising if Encarnacion not only matches Cruz’s or Martinez’s deal but also beats either one. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors floated a possible four-year contract worth $20 million or more per year.

That would be a lot of money. But then again, Encarnacion hits a lot of dingers.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted/linked.

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When Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion took Seattle Mariners pitcher Wade Miley deep in the fourth inning of Sunday’s series finale, he surpassed Vernon Wells for third place on the all-time franchise leaderboard for home runs, per ESPN Stats & Info.

With Wells now in the rear-view mirror, Encarnacion (224 home runs) only trails teammate Jose Bautista (255) and Carlos Delgado (336) for the most home runs in Blue Jays history.

Encarnacion and Bautista are both currently playing on the final year of their respective contracts, which could wind up concluding the career of one of the two in Toronto.

Neither of the two is necessarily headed out of town, but that will likely be decided in the offseason. However, the two have had vastly different contract seasons.

Bautista returned to action Monday after missing extended time due to a toe injury and has hit just .231 with 12 home runs over 66 games, while Encarnacion owns a .262 average with 27 long balls over 98 contests and was named to the American League’s All-Star team.

In addition to his home runs, Encarnacion has a league-leading 87 RBI heading into Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres. Assuming he continues at his current pace, the 33-year-old should near 40 home runs for a second straight year after finishing with 39 in 2015.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter and first baseman Edwin Encarnacion will play out the rest of the 2016 season without negotiating any further on a new contract.

Continue for updates.

Encarnacion’s Agent Comments on Contract Talks

Wednesday, July 13

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported Wednesday what Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, had to say on his client’s status:

Once the season started, we were not going to negotiate. He thought it was a distraction last time. He’s the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him. Why mess with the guy? He’s content. He’s happy. […] This doesn’t mean Toronto’s out. This was the plan all along. We were going to play this thing out.

Encarnacion has a slash line of .267/.358 /.541 to go with an MLB-leading 80 RBI and 23 homers. He earned his third All-Star bid this year and will be a free agent once the season ends.

This news has to come as relief to Toronto fans and especially the Blue Jays front office, which won’t have to worry about strong-arming Encarnacion in potentially pernicious negotiations after the All-Star break.

The Jays are neck-and-neck with the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card race, only two games up on the Houston Astros at the moment. They’re also just two games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

As long as Encarnacion keeps up his level of play, he’s going to get a big payday this winter.

With a load of high-level talent around him and even a realistic chance of winning the AL pennant, Encarnacion is in a great situation and won’t be putting himself above the team.

Encarnacion seems to recognize how trying to get a deal done now would complicate matters amid high stakes and expectations as Toronto tries to secure a postseason berth. He needs to be fully locked in with slugger Jose Bautista on the disabled list.

If Josh Donaldson can maintain his own exceptional form (.304 average, 23 HR, 63 RBI) and Troy Tulowitzki keeps up his hot start to July (.357 average), the Blue Jays should be a tough to beat as the regular season winds down.

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Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion has been suspended one game for bumping an umpire in the first inning of Friday’s game against the Cleveland Indians, MLB announced Sunday.

Encarnacion will continue to play while he appeals the suspension. The 33-year-old designated hitter/first baseman was ejected by home plate umpire Vic Carapazza after arguing a called third strike. Manager John Gibbons and catcher Russell Martin were also thrown out after expressing frustration with Carapazza‘s calls.

Encarnacion took a 3-2 pitch from Josh Tomlin that appeared off the plate outside and began walking to first base as Carapazza rung him up. Angered by the call, Encarnacion threw his bat to the ground and said something to the umpire’s face before being tossed. He then charged in Carapazza‘s direction, bumping him slightly from behind.

Per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Martin said afterward:

It’s tough as a player when the umpire makes a mistake, you say your piece about it and then you get thrown out for being right. It’s tough. I think umpires just need to sometimes take a deep breath and not flip the switch too quick.

Eddy didn’t really need to get thrown out in that situation either. Hopefully he gets talked to and the veteran umpires kind of tell him that there’s a certain way to do things, but we’ll see. It’s over so, can’t do anything now.

Making contact with an umpire is a near-automatic suspension within the MLB purview. James Loney, Joey Votto and David Ortiz each got one-game bans last season for similar actions. Bryce Harper landed a one-game suspension this season in part for hurling an expletive at an ump after being thrown out.

It would then seem unlikely that Encarnacion‘s appeal is successful. With another game against red-hot Cleveland coming Sunday and a series against the defending champion Kansas City Royals following, it’s possible he’s appealing to not miss an important upcoming game. He could drop the appeal and plan to serve the ban on a planned rest day or hold out and keep playing until the league office hears his case.

Encarnacion currently leads MLB in runs batted in (73) and is tied for fourth in home runs (22). The Jays (44-39) are battling for a playoff spot, so having him in the lineup against Kansas City (43-37) and Cleveland (49-31) is vital in what’s shaping up to be a close race.

But given precedent and the clear video evidence of Encarnacion bumping Carapazza, he’ll likely serve a ban at some point.

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Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion likes the idea of landing in Boston this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.

Encarnacion’s contract expires at the end of the 2016 season.

Continue for updates.

Encarnacion, Bautista Looking at Boston

Thursday, June 2

Heyman reported that Encarnacion and teammate Jose Bautista have thought about playing for the Boston Red Sox.

“Both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion envision the Red Sox as a possible winter landing spot, provided David Ortiz really does go through with his plan to retire,” Heyman wrote.

Encarnacion, 33, is making $10 million this season, per Spotrac. Heyman believes he will be looking for a four-year deal, but Toronto may not agree to that request. The team has already offered him a two-year contract.

Bautista, 35, is also due for free agency this summer, although his contract demands are steep. According to TSN’s Rick Westhead, Bautista wants a five-year, $150 million deal.

Keeping both players—especially if Bautista receives his requested salary—seems unlikely. Toronto is currently two games out of a wild-card spot, so it is not like the team has a winning formula it cannot afford to break up. This makes it less feasible that the Blue Jays would give two contracts of at least four years to players well past their 30th birthdays.

Adding Encarnacion or Bautista would reinforce an already-scary Boston lineup. Take a look at their production with the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox lead the American League with 317 runs, well above the second-ranked Seattle Mariners with 262. The team is also collectively hitting .296, which easily leads MLB.

Boston is third in the AL with 70 home runs, so bringing in a player like Encarnacion, who has hit at least 34 jacks in the past four seasons, creates even more power in the middle of the lineup. This would seemingly replace Ortiz should he decide to retire.

Bautista could return, as he recently told Sports Illustrated‘s Tom Verducci that wants to stay in Toronto.

“I love the city,” Bautista said (via SI Wire). “I’d be stupid to leave.”

The Blue Jays would likely choose Bautista over Encarnacion given his longevity with the team and greater duration of success. Thus, it is possible Encarnacion could leave and wind up with a team like Boston next season.

Team statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.

Player statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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Toronto Blue Jays star Edwin Encarnacion is dealing with an oblique injury, and it is uncertain when he will be able to return to action.  

Continue for updates.

Encarnacion Shut Down for a Week

Thursday, March 15

Mike Wilner, the Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer, noted Encarnacion’s injury is “minor,” and he is expected to be OK in time for Opening Day.

Encarnacion Is No Stranger to Injury

This is a difficult setback for the slugger, especially since he has never played a full 162 games in his entire career. What’s more, he only reached the 150-game plateau once (2012) since he entered the league in 2005.

When healthy, Encarnacion is one of the best hitters in the league. He is a two-time All-Star and finished the 2015 season with a .277 batting average, 39 home runs and 111 RBI. He also boasted a career-high 4.7 WAR last year and has been an absolute masher since joining the Blue Jays with 151 long balls from 2012 to 2015.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they still have plenty of firepower remaining in the order. In fact, Encarnacion’s 39 homers last season still only ranked third on the team. Josh Donaldson won the MVP and hit 41, while Jose Bautista launched 40, and Toronto finished first in the majors in total runs scored with 891.

The Blue Jays also have Chris Colabello and Justin Smoak to rotate in at first base and designated hitter while Encarnacion heals.

Colabello had a career year in 2015 and finished with a .321 batting average, 15 home runs and 54 RBI. Smoak is a veteran who drilled 18 home runs and drove in a career-best 59 runs in 2015 and will likely see more at-bats without Encarnacion.

While the Blue Jays have enough pieces to remain in the postseason race without Encarnacion, they need their slugger back in the middle of the order to once again be the best offensive force in the league.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Toronto Blue Jays have opened up contract discussions with designated hitter/first baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who is a free agent at the end of the 2016 season, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

Continue for updates.

Encarnacion Prefers to Remain with Team

Wednesday, March 2

Davidi reported that Encarnacion will cease negotiations once the regular season starts if the two parties are unable to come to an agreement.

Over the last four years, Encarnacion has been one of the Blue Jays’ most consistent power hitters. Between 2012 and 2015, he averaged a little more than 37 home runs and 105 RBI per season.

The veteran corner infielder played a large role in last year’s trip to the American League Championship Series. According to FanGraphs, his 4.5 WAR was tied for second on the team among offensive players. He also batted .275 and slugged .400 with one home run and five RBI in Toronto’s 11 playoff games.

Last month, Encarnacion discussed how he wants to stay in Toronto beyond this year:

Re-signing Encarnacion won’t be a straightforward process for the Blue Jays, though. They also may want to re-sign outfielder Jose Bautista and relief pitcher Brett Cecil, both of whom also have only one year remaining on their current deals. The cost of bringing all three players back will be steep.

In addition, if the records of team president Mark Shapiro and to a lesser extent general manager Ross Atkins are any indicator, the team may be reticent to commit big money to a slugger who will turn 34 in 2017.

Shapiro and Atkins came from the Cleveland Indians, who traded their top stars more often than they re-signed them.

The Blue Jays have generally had a higher payroll than the Indians in recent years, so money won’t be as much of a concern for Shapiro and Atkins as it was in Cleveland. Still, it may be telling that Toronto’s trades for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki, which depleted the team’s farm system, were reportedly a point of contention between Shapiro and former GM Alex Anthopoulos, per TSN’s Rick Westhead.

If Toronto is planning to tighten the budget in the future, letting Encarnacion walk in free agency will likely be part of the strategy.

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Edwin Encarnacion, who hit 39 home runs and drove in 111 RBI in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays, is seeking a contract extension with one year remaining on his three-year, $29 million deal.

Continue for updates.

Blue Jays Hoping to Sign Encarnacion Long Term

Sunday, Jan. 10

Per MLB Network Radio, first-year Toronto general manager Ross Atkins has spoken with Encarnacion, who has “made it clear” he wants an extension.

The 33-year-old has turned into one of the game’s best power hitters the past four seasons.

Although he is not young, Encarnacion has not shown many signs of declining, and the $10 million he’s due next season seems like a bit of a steal considering his offensive production.

Per John Lott of the National Post, Atkins said in a radio interview the goal is to re-sign Encarnacion but that “no talks about contract extensions have occurred.”       

Toronto would be smart to bring back Encarnacion, who, along with Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson, was part of the top-scoring offense in MLB last year. He hit .275 with one home run and five RBI in the postseason, helping lead the Blue Jays to their first American League Championship Series since 1993.

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