The looming returns of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge weren’t enough for the New York Yankees, as they’ve now reportedly agreed to a deal to acquire another All-Star slugger.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Seattle Mariners slugger Edwin Encarnación is being traded to the Yankees.
Encarnación’s power will fit in perfectly at Yankee Stadium and with New York’s lineup. The 36-year-old owns a .888 OPS this season with 49 RBI and an AL-leading 21 home runs.
He could split time between designated hitter and at first base for New York. Of his 65 games splayed this season in Seattle, 45 starts came at first base.
The 36-year-old carries a $20 million base salary this season and New York will hold a $20M club option for 2020 or can exercise a $5 million buyout. The Mariners have shown a willingness during their recent rebuild to send money back to supplement these contracts in exchange for a better prospect.
This is another move that signals Seattle is in a full teardown and could be an interesting seller to watch in the coming weeks.
According to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the Mariners will receive right-handed pitcher Juan Then. The 19-year-old is rated as New York’s No. 27 prospect by MLB Pipeline and projects as a future back-end starter if he develops.