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Yankees: Predicting which free agents they’ll bring back for the 2020 season

By Mac Josephson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Austin Romine #28 and Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees celebrate defeating the Minnesota Twins after the game on July 24, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Austin Romine #28 and Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees celebrate defeating the Minnesota Twins after the game on July 24, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Yankees
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees (R) celebrates with Gary Sanchez #24 after hitting a two-run home run to tie the game against the Detroit Tigers at 10-10 during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on September 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion

Encarnacion is hopeful to return to the lineup this weekend after suffering an oblique strain back on September 12th. I he can he’ll be back just in time to get a handful of at-bats under his belt before the postseason. Now whether he’ll be back with the club in 2020, that remains to be seen. The veteran slugger has a team option for $20M next season, but he also has a $5M buyout clause the Yankees can pay which would allow him to become a free agent.

Out of all the potential free agents on the roster, Encarnacion’s future in New York might be the toughest to predict. I think the Yankees would love to bring him back as their primary DH and part-time first baseman next season, but he’s probably not going to be their top priority when free agency begins. The focus will be on starting pitching and Aroldis Chapman if he becomes a free agent.

Based on his performance this season (34 HR, 86 RBI) Encarnacion is worth $20M for one more season, but the Yankees might not be willing to pay that high of a price when they already have guys like Stanton, Voit, and LeMahieu to take up the majority of the at-bats at first base and DH. That’s not even mentioning Miguel Andujar who could also figure into the mix if he changes positions.

Despite missing some time due to injury Encarnacion has been very productive for the Yankees hitting .249, with 13 HR and 37 RBI in just 44 games. He’ll be 37 next season and he also still has a lot left in the tank, but my guess is he won’t be back with the Yankees and they’ll invest their money ion starting pitching instead and guys like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg.

Prediction: The Yankees will pay the $5M buyout clause and Encarnacion will become a free agent.

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