3 Teams That Should Trade for Edwin Encarnacion
By Parker White
The Seattle Mariners got off to a hot start to the season, beginning the year with an 11-2 record. But they've been in a total free fall since then, having wound up in last place in the AL West at 25-38. With GM Jerry Dipoto at the helm, you know they are going to be aggressive at the trade deadline, and he's already kicked off the fire sale by shipping Jay Bruce to Philadelphia.
So, who is next? Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is one of a handful of players that will gauge interest on the market. The veteran slugger still has some pop left in his bat and could be a difference-maker for a contending team. Here are three teams that should trade for Encarnacion.
3. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning eight straight and nine of their last 10 games. They are still 9.5 games back in the NL West, but they are very much in the Wild Card race. Adding Edwin Encarnacion would make this Rockies offense even more lethal, and you can only imagine how many homers he'd hit at Coors Field. While defensively this may force someone like Ryan McMahon into a platoon role, the added power could prove worthwhile.
2. Boston Red Sox
Boston has begun to play better but they need to make a surge now if they still want to be in the division mix. The offense has never really taken off, and with Mitch Moreland on the shelf, they have a massive hole at first base. Steve Pearce looks far from the player that earned World Series MVP honors just more than a half-year ago. Encarnacion's power bat would make this lineup even scarier, and his addition might be the jolt this team needs to be an AL East contender.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay has been a nice surprise this year, and for them to really be an American League powerhouse, they need more pop in their lineup. That's where Encarnacion comes in, as on the season he has 16 home runs and 38 RBI while slugging .502. The Rays had interest in Encarnacion this offseason, before the Mariners snatched him, and the time is ripe for Tampa to finalize a deal for the veteran slugger. A return to the AL East could be in the cards for the 36-year-old power hitter.