Rays Literally Paying Edwin Encarnacion to Play for Yankees in Tight AL East Race is Embarrassing

Before the season began, the American League East was largely expected to be a two-horse race. Fast forward two months later, and that's exactly what we have -- but instead of it being the Yankees and Red Sox like everyone expected, it's the Tampa Bay Rays dueling with New York atop the division.

In a race that's going to require all hands on deck, the Rays may have just been given a fatal blow. Just two days ago, the Yankees acquired slugger Edwin Encarnacion from the Mariners. What's worse is that Tampa Bay is actually paying part of that contract.

Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays are actually paying the home runs leader in the American League to play for their division rival in the heat of a title race.

It seemed like an ancillary piece at the time of the deal, one that saw Jake Bauers move to the Indians and saw Tampa Bay add Yandy Diaz and a prospect. But now, that extra $5 million may prove to be the most detrimental part of the deal for Tampa Bay since the Yankees are the beneficiary in some capacity.

Ironically enough, Encarnacion makes his Yankees debut tonight against -- you guessed it -- the Rays.