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Yankees decline Edwin Encarnacion’s $20M club option for 2020

By Mac Josephson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice prior to game three of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice prior to game three of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The offseason is officially here and the Yankees announced on Thursday that they declined DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion’s $20M club option for the 2020 season. The moves come as no surprise and the veteran slugger will now become a free agent. The Yanks will have still to pay him a $5M buyout as part of his contract.

The Yankees had until November 2nd to decide whether or not to pick up Encarnacion’s option, but they made up their minds pretty quickly because this was a rather easy decision. Despite his extreme struggles against the Astros in the ALCS, the 36-year-old is still a very dangerous hitter with a lot left in the tank but at this point in his career, he’s not worth a $20M salary.

Even if he was owed a lot less than $20M next season the Yankees still probably weren’t going to bring him back because there’s just not enough room for him on the 25-man roster. Assuming everyone comes back healthy next season the Yankees lineup doesn’t need Encarnacion and they should fare just fine without him.

Giancarlo Stanton will likely be the primary DH in 2020 and at first base, Luke Voit, DJ LeMahieu, Mike Ford and possibly Miguel Andujar will all be in the mix to win the starting job. LeMahieu is going to play every day next season but it remains to be seen what position he will play. Hopefully, Miggy will as well, but a lot of that will depend on what happens with Didi Gregorius and whether or not the Yanks decide to bring him back.

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In 44 regular-season games with New York Encarnacion was very productive hitting .249 with 13 HR, 37 RBI and a .531 SLG %. However, multiple injuries forced him to miss a large chunk of time after the All-Star break and they likely impacted his play during the postseason as well.

He suffered an oblique strain on September 12th which forced him to miss the final 15 games but he was able to return for the postseason and batted .308 in the ALDS against the Twins. Unfortunately, as Yankee fans all know, his success ended there and he had a miserable ALCS batting .056 in 18 at-bats with 11 strikeouts.

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After declining Encarcion’s option now the Yankees will wait and see if Aroldis Chapman decides to opt-out of his contract. He still has two-years, $30M still left on his current deal but many expect him to opt out before November 2nd and enter free agency to try and add another year or two onto his next contract.

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