Edwin Encarnacion to White Sox, 1-year/$12M

[reillymcshane]

Encarnacion gets a nice deal from the ChiSox. $11M with a $1M buyout on a club option of $12M for 2021.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/white-sox-closing-in-on-deal-with-edwin-encarnacion.html

[RollieTime]

Watch out, this White Sox team is going to make a strong push for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 90-92 games this season. They have substantially improved their entire roster this offseason.

[Dean Machine]

Watch out, this White Sox team is going to make a strong push for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 90-92 games this season. They have substantially improved their entire roster this offseason.

 

Although in that division 90 wins doesn't mean much. The Twins were likely the worst 100 win team of all time last season thanks to playing in a division with Detroit and Kansas City and going forward it appears Cleveland will step back to where Chicago was last season.

[JohnBriggs12]

Watch out, this White Sox team is going to make a strong push for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 90-92 games this season. They have substantially improved their entire roster this offseason.

 

They better be. They spent a ton. All in all it's discouraging as a Brewer fan to watch a team that drew a million or so fewer fans spend like that while the Brewers continue to shop in the bargain bin

[adambr2]

Sorry to hear that you're frustrated, Briggs. Hopefully it would be helpful to remind you that what you perceive on paper during the offseason isn't always what actually takes place during the season. If not, maybe it would be helpful to remind you that the White Sox haven't cracked 80 wins since 2012 while the Brewers have averaged over 90 the last 3 seasons.

 

The most expensive player in baseball history couldn't even buy the Phillies a winning team in 2019.

[TJseven7]

Watch out, this White Sox team is going to make a strong push for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 90-92 games this season. They have substantially improved their entire roster this offseason.

 

They better be. They spent a ton. All in all it's discouraging as a Brewer fan to watch a team that drew a million or so fewer fans spend like that while the Brewers continue to shop in the bargain bin

 

They burned their franchise to the ground to built up a massive farm. All those kids are starting in on the majors and their team is cheap and cost controlled. Their only spending was done on stuff this year and keeping abreu.

 

They had 9 guys over 580k last year.

They had 9 guys over 570k in 2018 and they were trying to expire the Shields disaster deal.

 

The team burned it down. Ran bottom out payrolls for a few years and now that the youth is up they made a splash offseason.

 

Do you get discouraged when you watch a guy eat ramen, gather aluminum cans and car pool to work for a few years after he finally saves up enough to buy himself a vacation?

 

They penny pinched for years to earn this splash.

 

Team had a 83 million dollar payroll for 3 years and won 67 games a year during that span. Give them their moment in the FA sun.

 

Brewers in the last 2 years spent 242 million. They spent 249 in the last 3 years. They banked a full YEAR.

[stoutdude04]

And they were terrible too. Yes, the Brewers havent made a big splash, but theyve also been competative too. I remember two years ago people were complaining about this exact thing and look how they did. I feel like this group in charge has a better idea than us on how to run this team.

[TJseven7]

And they were terrible too. Yes, the Brewers havent made a big splash, but theyve also been competative too. I remember two years ago people were complaining about this exact thing and look how they did. I feel like this group in charge has a better idea than us on how to run this team.

 

Yes Brewers bottomed out at 62 and 68 mil in 16 and 17. In 2018 they brought in Cain Yelich. 2019 Grandal and kept Moose.

 

CWS isn't doing anything different. CWS is starting their push now. MKE is 2 years in.

[TURBO]

 

CWS isn't doing anything different. CWS is starting their push now. MKE is 2 years in.

 

Difference is, the White Sox are starting their push with a lot of money to spend.

 

The Brewers on the other hand, not so much.

 

Pretty big difference imo.

[Fear The Chorizo]

We're talking about a White Sox team that managed to win just 72 games in a division with two historically bad teams, correct? They really had no choice but to spend like crazy this offseason to fill gaping roster holes that even all their young talent/prospects weren't deep enough to fill. They now do have an interesting mix of veteran and young talent, and should be fun to watch in 2020. They will definitely be competitive in their division. But much of their young talent hasn't been in the majors long enough either due to age or injuries to really know just how good it is - particularly on the pitching side of things.

 

Keep in mind they were fully planning to give Machado $30+ Million a year last season and he spurned them for the Padres - they've been sitting on a mountain of $$ for several offseasons now, and they are right to put it back into improving the MLB roster. However, as they are currently put together, they only have a 50/50 shot at their division - that's not very meaningful in the AL Central in terms of contending for a pennant, since that league also has 3 teams in the AL East (Yanks, Red Sox, Rays) and 2-3 in the AL West (Astros, A's, Angels) that are likely to be better than whoever wins the AL Central.

[TJseven7]

 

CWS isn't doing anything different. CWS is starting their push now. MKE is 2 years in.

 

Difference is, the White Sox are starting their push with a lot of money to spend.

 

The Brewers on the other hand, not so much.

 

Pretty big difference imo.

 

You completely missed the point.

MKE started their push in 2018. They were coming off a 62 and 68 million dollar payroll season.

CWS started their push this year. They are coming off 3 seasons where their payroll averaged 83 million.

 

MKEs payroll averaged 121 million over the last 2 years. Clearly they had a ton of money to spend in 2018. Just like the CWS do in 2020.

 

The only difference is the year that the 2 teams started in on the buying. MKE bought in 2018 and really spiked their payroll short term in 2019. This could be the CWS going all in. They might not spend for the next few years outside of Arby.

[sveumrules]

Watch out, this White Sox team is going to make a strong push for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 90-92 games this season. They have substantially improved their entire roster this offseason.

 

They better be. They spent a ton. All in all it's discouraging as a Brewer fan to watch a team that drew a million or so fewer fans spend like that while the Brewers continue to shop in the bargain bin

 

Sure the White Sox drew a million fewer fans. They also just signed a new TV deal that will dwarf the revenue produced by a million fans.

[LouisEly]

With Encarnacion as the DH, I wonder what the future is for AJ Reed and if he might be available for cheap. He was a pretty good prospect a few years ago but got stuck in a logjam behind Gurriel and Tyler White. He'll be 27, but maybe a change of scenery and an opportunity will revive his career.

[TJseven7]

With Encarnacion as the DH, I wonder what the future is for AJ Reed and if he might be available for cheap. He was a pretty good prospect a few years ago but got stuck in a logjam behind Gurriel and Tyler White. He'll be 27, but maybe a change of scenery and an opportunity will revive his career.

 

Interesting idea depending on the price. He's been trending in the wrong direction in AAA since he was 23.

[owbc]

We're talking about a White Sox team that managed to win just 72 games in a division with two historically bad teams, correct? They really had no choice but to spend like crazy this offseason to fill gaping roster holes that even all their young talent/prospects weren't deep enough to fill. They now do have an interesting mix of veteran and young talent, and should be fun to watch in 2020. They will definitely be competitive in their division. But much of their young talent hasn't been in the majors long enough either due to age or injuries to really know just how good it is - particularly on the pitching side of things.

 

Keep in mind they were fully planning to give Machado $30+ Million a year last season and he spurned them for the Padres - they've been sitting on a mountain of $$ for several offseasons now, and they are right to put it back into improving the MLB roster. However, as they are currently put together, they only have a 50/50 shot at their division - that's not very meaningful in the AL Central in terms of contending for a pennant, since that league also has 3 teams in the AL East (Yanks, Red Sox, Rays) and 2-3 in the AL West (Astros, A's, Angels) that are likely to be better than whoever wins the AL Central.

 

What the White Sox have done this offseason is pretty smart, none of these contracts are big enough to significantly restrict their flexibility in the years to come. But they have to make up ~20 wins on the Indians and ~30 on the Twins. Not easy, but they have probably done enough to get over .500 and make things interesting. Which seems to be the intention. Way better than throwing $30+ million at Machado.

[TJseven7]

Machado was their Hosmer. Make ourselves "relevant" signing.

[adambr2]

I don't think Hosmer has any equivalent in being a really awful idea.

[CrewFanBrewMan69]

We're talking about a White Sox team that managed to win just 72 games in a division with two historically bad teams, correct? They really had no choice but to spend like crazy this offseason to fill gaping roster holes that even all their young talent/prospects weren't deep enough to fill. They now do have an interesting mix of veteran and young talent, and should be fun to watch in 2020. They will definitely be competitive in their division. But much of their young talent hasn't been in the majors long enough either due to age or injuries to really know just how good it is - particularly on the pitching side of things.

 

Keep in mind they were fully planning to give Machado $30+ Million a year last season and he spurned them for the Padres - they've been sitting on a mountain of $$ for several offseasons now, and they are right to put it back into improving the MLB roster. However, as they are currently put together, they only have a 50/50 shot at their division - that's not very meaningful in the AL Central in terms of contending for a pennant, since that league also has 3 teams in the AL East (Yanks, Red Sox, Rays) and 2-3 in the AL West (Astros, A's, Angels) that are likely to be better than whoever wins the AL Central.

 

What the White Sox have done this offseason is pretty smart, none of these contracts are big enough to significantly restrict their flexibility in the years to come. But they have to make up ~20 wins on the Indians and ~30 on the Twins. Not easy, but they have probably done enough to get over .500 and make things interesting. Which seems to be the intention. Way better than throwing $30+ million at Machado.

They gave out their two biggest contracts in franchise history this offseason, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re relatively tied down for a few years here. Reinsdorf has never really spent. I still think this team isn’t all that good, but the worst division in MLB they can have some things break their way and be in it or they play to their true talent +/- and end up in the 70s or low 80s of wins.

[Jopal78]

Kodi Medeiros designated for assignment to make room for Encarnacion. Another Melvin first round pick goes bust, at least the Brewers were able to get something out of him before he completely failed.

[stalton]

Kodi Medeiros designated for assignment to make room for Encarnacion. Another Melvin first round pick goes bust, at least the Brewers were able to get something out of him before he completely failed.

Kodi was always a guy that I thought could put it together. Props like you said for getting something worthwhile out of him.

[sveumrules]

Kodi Medeiros designated for assignment to make room for Encarnacion. Another Melvin first round pick goes bust, at least the Brewers were able to get something out of him before he completely failed.

 

Yelich could also be linked back to Medeiros, albeit tenuously.

 

I could be mis-remembering, but I'm pretty sure that Jordan Yamamoto put himself on the Brewers radar when he pitched a gem against Kodi in the Hawaii State Championship Game.

[brewcrewdue80]

We're talking about a White Sox team that managed to win just 72 games in a division with two historically bad teams, correct? They really had no choice but to spend like crazy this offseason to fill gaping roster holes that even all their young talent/prospects weren't deep enough to fill. They now do have an interesting mix of veteran and young talent, and should be fun to watch in 2020. They will definitely be competitive in their division. But much of their young talent hasn't been in the majors long enough either due to age or injuries to really know just how good it is - particularly on the pitching side of things.

 

Keep in mind they were fully planning to give Machado $30+ Million a year last season and he spurned them for the Padres - they've been sitting on a mountain of $$ for several offseasons now, and they are right to put it back into improving the MLB roster. However, as they are currently put together, they only have a 50/50 shot at their division - that's not very meaningful in the AL Central in terms of contending for a pennant, since that league also has 3 teams in the AL East (Yanks, Red Sox, Rays) and 2-3 in the AL West (Astros, A's, Angels) that are likely to be better than whoever wins the AL Central.

 

What the White Sox have done this offseason is pretty smart, none of these contracts are big enough to significantly restrict their flexibility in the years to come. But they have to make up ~20 wins on the Indians and ~30 on the Twins. Not easy, but they have probably done enough to get over .500 and make things interesting. Which seems to be the intention. Way better than throwing $30+ million at Machado.

 

In reference to making up wins on Minnesota.

6-13 against. 4wins is 8games.

 

Lsts talk now about Minnesota. 2019 they hit 307HRs. That is 141 more HRs than the team hit in 2018. Mitch Garver their Catcher, had 31 HRs vs 7HRs in nearly identical PAs. 31 in under 400PAs. If he was a full time bat hes on pace for 55-60HRs or about the amount be hit total in his Milb career. There is a huge regression likely coming from the Twins offense. 141 more HRs than the previous season from much of the same bats.

Meanwhile the Sox have clearly upgraded their roster. They acfually had a winning record vs Cle.

20wins is realistically what the Sox need to overcome. The Twins are not a 101 win team. Can you imagine where the Brewers would have finished if they got career years from all the position players vs 2? Aguilar batting .900 OPS. Shaw batting 900 OPS. Arcia 850. Cain 900s. Because that imagined thought was the 2019 Twins with a DH hitting 41HRs a 9th batter.

[liveforoctober]

Can't say I have watched Kodi since he left ... is he worth inviting back to ST or has he gone off the rails?

[MadThinker88]

Meanwhile the Sox have clearly upgraded their roster. They actually had a winning record vs Cle.

 

Yes the ChiSox had a winning record vs Cleveland in 2019 going 11-8. Cant argue that fact. In fact the 2019 ChiSox were the 1st AL Central club (since at least 2016) to win a season series vs Cleveland.

[brewmann04]

I think the frustrating part is we have been to the playoffs twice back to back. We have the best fans in Baseball who support this team. we have Yelich for Cheap and we still don't have the starting pitching and a Major Hole @ 3rd in a season that most are looking to get back in the playoffs.