Yankees Decline Team Option on Edwin Encarnacion for 2020
By Adam Weinrib
There were incredible parrot-related times in the Bronx during the summer of 2019, even stretching into the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins.
But injuries, both freak (his wrist) and conditioning-related (his oblique, which just might've ruined his swing in time for the postseason) helped derail Edwin Encarnacion's Yankees season, and with a big pay day headed his way this offseason, the team has parted ways with their slugger.
New York swiftly declined Encarnacion's team option the morning after the World Series ended.
The @Yankees have declined their 2020 club option for 1B/DH Edwin Encarnación.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) October 31, 2019
Additionally, OF Aaron Hicks’s scheduled right UCL reconstruction surgery on Wednesday went as expected. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
When Encarnacion was at his absolute best in July, this seemed to be a high-dollar possibility for New York next year. However, as he slumped, the team came to its senses. There are plenty of potential players who can take first base/DH at-bats next season (Giancarlo Stanton, Luke Voit, DJ LeMahieu, maybe an acquisition or two like Yoshitomo Tsutsugo), and there's really no need to add the limited Encarnacion at a monstrous cost.
So long Edwin. You were good until it counted.
— Ben K. (@benyankee) October 31, 2019
Overall, the slugger hit .249 as a Yankee with 13 homers, but wilted in the ALCS, going just 1-for-18, and killing numerous rallies with his depleted bat speed (since when could he not catch up to a fastball?). He'll turn 37 by the time next season begins.