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http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.weei.com/s3fs-public/styles/nts_image_cover_tall_775x425/public/encarnacion.jpg?itok=ZmpBaOd0&c=72bce310a7b3ef4d556239232adaf9f8Bob DeChiara/USA Today Sports
Edwin Encarnacion: 'I was surprised' Red Sox didn't make offer
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ROB BRADFORDAUGUST 14, 2017 - 10:55 PM
When Edwin Encarnacion sat down with his agent, Paul Kinzer, to strategize the slugger's plan heading into free agency after the 2016 season, three teams were surfaced by the player as preferred destinations: Toronto, Boston and another team. (No, that third club wasn't the Yankees.)
David Ortiz had dubbed Encarnacion as the player he viewed as his perfect replacement. The positional fit seemed good enough, with the first baseman/designated hitter ready to alternate with Hanley Ramirez. And with Ortiz gone, the one thing that seemed to be missing from the Red Sox' lineup was that kind of middle-of-the-order presence that the 34-year-old had been supplying for the Blue Jays on the way to five straight seasons of 34 or more homers.
But, the Red Sox had other plans.
Not wanting to go over the luxury tax threshold, or potentially block up-and-coming first baseman Sam Travis, Dave Dombrowski let it be known in early November that Encarnacion wasn't going to be one of his free agent targets. This was not what Encarnacion was expecting.
"I was surprised because the way David was pushing and talking to the media and everything, and they don't even make an offer to me," Encarnacion told WEEI.com after hitting two home runs in his Guardians' 7-3 win over the Red Sox. "I was surprised, but you know how it is."
With Encarnacion ultimately having to settle for a three-year, $60 million deal with Cleveland, it's easy to take a look at the damage he inflicted on the Red Sox Monday night and point to the righty hitter as one that got away. But the pointing really should have began back when free agency kicked off.
Signing this guy would have been worth whatever financial or positional discomfort might follow. He was a really good fit then, and remains a really good fit now. After an extremely slow start, Encarnacion has 26 homers and an .856 OPS. At Fenway Park for his career, he has 17 homers and a .922 OPS in 53 games.
For a point of reference, here are the ramifications of going over the CBT:
- The tax itself. (Just money.)
- The team am receives less compensation (lower draft choice) when they lose a qualified free agent after that season. (Not an issue for the Red Sox.)
- The team gives up a higher draft choice when they sign a qualified free agent after that season. (Most likely not an issue for the Red Sox.)
- The team loses more international signing bonus pool money if sign a qualified fee agent. (Most likely not an issue for the Red Sox.)
- Higher tax rate/surcharge if team is more than $20 million over threshold; even more above $40 million over. (Just money).)
And the ramifications of going over multiple times in a row:
- The more times you go over, the higher your tax rate is. Third time in a row equals 50 percent for first $20 million over. (Money.)
- The more times you go over, the more revenue sharing money you lose. (Money.)
So, most of the penalties for committing to Encarnacion would be financial, which would seem palatable considering the priority this ownership group has put on winning. They did, after, just let a player (Pablo Sandoval) go that is going to cost them upwards of $48 million for not wearing the Red Sox uniform.
As for Travis, he is undeniably an intriguing prospect who might be able to serve as a starting first baseman in the majors next season. But he isn't going to supply the kind of power this lineup seems to be thirsting for. The 23-year-old is currently hitting .268 with a .711 OPS and four home runs in 66 Triple-A games this season.
The Red Sox have gotten very good value from Mitch Moreland at first base on a short-term deal. They also hold a 4 1/2-game lead in the American League East. But, especially after the latest reminder, Edwin Encarnacion has left the Red Sox with at least a twinge of what could have been.
"I love it," the slugger said when asked what he thought about the Green Monster.
That's just rubbing it in.