Edwin Encarnacion is one of the dominoes yet to fall in MLB free agency, but it sounds like he has plenty of options.
His agent Paul Kinzer told Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto on Wednesday that several potential deals are on the table for the slugger, who turns 34 next month.
MORE: Every MLB team's worst regular season memory, revisited
“We’ve had multiyear offers from six different teams between three and four years, most of them in the three range,” Kinzer said. “We’ll come out of it OK.”
There's still a chance Encarnacion finalizes a deal soon, even though MLB business often goes on unofficial hiatus the week between Christmas and New Year's. Kinzer said he already had spoken to a pair of teams Wednesday morning.
The agent also voiced what many have taken as a foregone conclusion given Toronto's moves already this offseason — Encarnacion "probably won't be a Blue Jay" going forward after seven-plus seasons with the team.
MORE: Mets eye Andrew McCutchen
Who does that leave? A story Wednesday by FanRag Sports indicates the Indians might be the most ardent suitor, though the AL champions might not have the resources to get it done. The A's, Rockies, Cardinals and Astros also were mentioned.
Risky as it might be to give a hefty deal to a player entering his mid-30s who isn't known for his athleticism, Encarnacion appears at the height of his powers. An All-Star three of the past four seasons, he has averaged 39 home runs over the past five years.
“He’s put up five years of consistent stats. Some people are acting like we’re in a panic. Are you kidding me?” Kinzer told FanRag Sports. “He’s one of the best hitters in the game.”
