The MLB's Boston Red Sox have a fruitful 2016 season leading the American League East with a 93-69 record. However, they are booted out by eventual American League Champion Cleveland Indians in the Division Series by a sweep. Next year, they would like to redeem themselves and looking to sign Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to contract.
Encarnacion, who is one of MLB's great power hitter, is one of the most sought-after free agents in the trade market today. Earlier reports have also said that he rejected the qualifying offers from the Blue Jays making him available in the market. And it looks like the Red Sox are going after him.
According to Boston Herald, the Boston Red Sox are looking for a replacement to David Ortiz who just retired from playing baseball this year and Toronto Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion could be a perfect substitute for him. Encarnacion who have averages of .263 hit, 42 home runs, and 127 RBI in the 2016 season is not far from Ortiz's stats in the same season.
Aside from Encarnacion, Jose Bautista (also from the Blue Jays) is also an option for the Red Sox. Both Encarnacion and Bautista declined the one-year pact worth $17.2 million offered to them by the Blue Jays and both are looking for a long-term contract. However, that seems to be what the Red Sox is avoiding right now.
Red Sox President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have earlier announced that they are only considering a one-year contract at the DH spot that Ortiz have left. But the Red Sox might wait until the new collective bargaining agreement is signed that may change their minds with regards to Encarnacion and Bautista.
But a recent MLB news published by BoSox Injection have said that the Blue Jays already offered Encarnacion a 4-year, $80 million. It further stated that Encarnacion didn't grab the offer yet. Sources are saying that Encarnacion is seeking a 5-year, $125 million contract from the Blue Jays but he didn't confirm it.
The Blue Jays expressed they are interested in bringing back Encarnacion and now that they already made an offer, then it is up to him to decide to go back or test the free agency.
Will the MLB Boston Red Sox be able to sign Toronto Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion?
