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06/16 00:35 CDT Yankees get slugger Encarnacin in trade with Mariners
Yankees get slugger Encarnacin in trade with Mariners
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- The New York Yankees acquired AL home run leader Edwin
Encarnacin in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night, adding
another feared slugger to what could be baseball's most powerful lineup when
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton return from injuries.
The Yankees also got cash in the deal while sending 19-year-old minor league
pitcher Juan Then to Seattle. Encarnacin is making $20 million this season.
Speaking before the trade was announced, New York manager Aaron Boone declined
comment. But asked about having room for another power bat, Boone coyly
responded, "There's always room for good players."
The 36-year-old Encarnacin has hit 21 home runs this season. He has averaged
37 homers and 109 RBIs in his last seven years.
There had been speculation the Yankees would be in the market for a top pitcher
as the July 31 approached, but the Bronx Bombers always have room for big
boppers.
"We know Edwin is a really good hitter," Gleyber Torres said after homering for
the AL East-leading Yankees in an 8-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Encarnacin was not on the field with the Mariners as they warmed up for their
game at Oakland. The Yankees and Mariners announced the trade right after
Seattle lost 11-2.
"Edwin did great things here for us. I really think a lot of him, how he went
about his business here, knowing that this could probably happen," Mariners
manager Scott Servais said. "It's hard to go out and produce the way he did. He
did everything we could ask him. He's leading the league in home runs, he's
been awesome in our clubhouse. Certainly wish him the best."
Encarnacin, a first baseman and designated hitter, is hitting .241 and is
among the league leaders with 49 RBIs and 48 runs scored. The three-time
All-Star moved from Cleveland to Seattle last December in a three-team trade
that included Tampa Bay.
Encarnacin has 401 career home runs, including 18 in 69 games at the new
Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees have been one of baseball's best teams despite a long list of
injuries.
Stanton could return next week after being sidelined by biceps, shoulder and
calf injuries, and Judge also is inching closer after he strained his left
oblique in April. Both stars are on rehab assignments in Triple-A.
Encarnacin's arrival means more juggling for the Yankees, who will have a
roster full of talented players once everyone returns from the injured list.
Last month, they acquired first baseman/DH Kendrys Morales from Oakland, but
he's struggled with New York.
Seattle either traded or let go many of its big-name players after last season,
with Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and Jean Segura among them. The
new-look Mariners got off to a 13-2 start this year, but have since faded into
last place in the AL West. They recently traded outfielder Jay Bruce to
Philadelphia.
The Mariners said Then, who has been pitching in extended spring training, will
report to Class A Everett. Originally signed by Seattle, he was traded to the
Yankees after the 2017 season in a deal for pitcher Nick Rumbelow.
"We'll look at a lot of different guys as we continue to move down the road and
do this rebuild thing," Servais said. "We've gotten a lot of young prospects
back. Unfortunately, they're not all here yet. It's our job here to take the
guys we've got and get the most out of them and get them to continue to
improve, and that's what we're going to do."
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AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker contributed to this report.
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