Report: Mariners nearing a deal for All-Star Edwin Encarnacion

The Seattle Mariners might be blowing their roster up this offseason. In fact, they are in the midst of a fire sale we have not seen on the MLB stage in decades.

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto and Co. changed that up a bit on Thursday. According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, Seattle has acquired All-Star infielder Edwin Encarnacion from the Cleveland Indians.

In return, the Indians will bring back first baseman Carlos Santana. Having played for the Indians from 2010-17, Santana signed a free agent contract with the Phillies last winter. He was ultimately dealt to Seattle in the blockbuster Jean Segura trade this offseason. The 32-year-old hit .229 with 24 homers and 86 RBI in Philadelphia this past season.

Though, the headliner in this deal has to be Encarnacion. The soon-to-be 36-year-old power bat has racked up 100-plus RBI in six of the past seven seasons. The only exception here is when he drove in 98 runs for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.

Encarnacion posted a .246 average with 32 homers, 107 RBI and a lackluster .336 OBP in Cleveland last season.

Update: The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly involved in the deal, making it a three-team trade. Infielder Jake Bauers heads from the Rays to Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Indians send  fellow infielder Yandy Diaz to Tampa.