According to multiple media reports Wednesday, veteran designated hitter/first baseman Edwin Encarnación and the Chicago White Sox agreed to terms on a one-year, $12 million deal. The White Sox also would hold a $12 million option for 2021.
Encarnación turns 37 on Jan. 7. He split last season between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees, hitting a combined .244 with a .344 on-base percentage, a .531 slugging percentage, 34 homers and 86 RBIs in 109 games. In eight playoff games for the Yankees, he batted .161 (5-for-31) with no homers, two RBIs and 13 strikeouts. He became a free agent after the postseason when the Yankees declined a $20 million option.
Encarnación began his major league career with the Reds in 2005 and remained there until he was traded in July 2009 to Toronto. He earned all three of his career All-Star selections (2013, 2014, 2016) during his time with the Blue Jays. The Indians signed him as a free agent in January 2017, and he spent two seasons in Cleveland. Encarnacion has a .263/.352/.499 batting line with 414 home runs and 1,242 RBIs. He ranks third among active players in homers, fourth in RBIs, fifth in extra-base hits (789) and sixth in walks (887).
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