Versatile Encarnacion shags flies in left field

RocLaFamilia · Post #1 » by **RocLaFamilia** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:40 pm

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays are attempting to increase Edwin Encarnacion's versatility by having the 28-year-old take fly balls in left field.

There is no immediate plan to give Encarnacion a start in the outfield, but he practiced there for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

"This is about making the most of the remaining two months that we have," said Toronto manager John Farrell. "We're ever evaluating players. Edwin has done an outstanding job at the plate, he's in a run right now at the plate that I think everyone's been accustomed to from what he did a year ago.

"Not only is he producing offensively, but he's working deep counts, he's taking his walks when needed."

Toronto has a $3.5 million club option on Encarnacion for the 2012 season. If the Blue Jays decide to exercise that extra year, then Encarnacion's work in the outfield could potentially pay dividends while the club takes part in Interleague Play.

"When we go into National League parks, the versatility of a guy that has predominantly been a DH shows up so much more," Farrell said. "The fact that he could go to third base when we were in St. Louis had a lot to do with us sweeping that series.

"So to be limited by a DH that doesn't have a position or takes another guy out of the lineup, we're trying to keep that flexibility going forward."

Encarnacion extended his hitting streak to 10 games Thursday with an RBI infield single in the fourth inning. Since July 7, he leads the Major Leagues with an on-base percentage of .478, and over the same span, he leads the American League in OPS (1.097), is tied for second in doubles (11) and ranks third in batting average (.381).

Post #2 » by **Duffman100** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:21 pm

Why limit his errors to just one position?

JoeyBats · Post #3 » by **JoeyBats** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:44 pm

Duffman100 wrote:Why limit his errors to just one position?

Hey, i'm not sure if you're joking but his defense has come a long way.

youngLion · Post #4 » by **youngLion** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:56 pm

I'm all for this. He might end up being better in left than he is at third. Encarnation has picked up his hitting enough that I think they should pick up his option for sure.

On another note, if one was a conspiracy theorist you might argue that this is another indication that Snider is out the door, but I don't actually believe that.

TorontoRaptures · Post #5 » by **TorontoRaptures** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:16 pm

EE has been red hot the past month or two. He's been painfully inconsistent over his career, but when he's on, he can really mash. Also, his defense seems to have improved quite a lot.

One final thought to consider:
EE is 28 years old and has a career .791 OPS.
Lind's 28 years old and has a career .793 OPS.

Michael Bradley · Post #6 » by **Michael Bradley** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:37 pm

I never had a problem with EE being in Bautista's 2009 role (back-up IF/OF who gets 250-350 AB's off the bench). Not sure I want him in an everyday role, hot streak and all, unless they envision he still has potential to breakout. Time is ticking for him as an everyday player, but the more positions he can play the more valuable he becomes.

Relentless88 · Post #7 » by **Relentless88** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:31 am

TorontoRaptures wrote:EE has been red hot the past month or two. He's been painfully inconsistent over his career, but when he's on, he can really mash. Also, his defense seems to have improved quite a lot.

One final thought to consider:
EE is 28 years old and has a career .791 OPS.
Lind's 28 years old and has a career .793 OPS.

Just proves that Lind is not a dependable first basemen if we want to content. .793 career OPS is not going to cut it in the AL East.

We need Fielder or Pujols this off season. Or someone else via trade.

Post #8 » by **Duffman100** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:49 am

JoeyBats wrote:
Duffman100 wrote:Why limit his errors to just one position?

Hey, i'm not sure if you're joking but his defense has come a long way.

I'm not sure if you're joking.

kwamebargnani · Post #9 » by **kwamebargnani** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:12 am

Duffman100 wrote:
JoeyBats wrote:
Duffman100 wrote:Why limit his errors to just one position?

Hey, i'm not sure if you're joking but his defense has come a long way.

I'm not sure if you're joking.

His defense has been fine ever since that circus show vs Tampa and e probably won't be asked to field much anyway. It's just good to have someone who can play 1B, 3B, LF on occasion.

Evermore · Post #10 » by **Evermore** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:21 am

I suspect this is to raise his trade value among NL teams...

I would hope, anyways...

hyper316 · Post #11 » by **hyper316** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:52 am

keep Encarnacion as primary DH, and secondary 3B/1B/LF. Also I will consider the following for a dream offseason:

- sign Fielder for 1B, move Lind to LF.
- trade Snider & Arencibia for SP or 2B
- bring up d'arnaud
- Davis and Thames as back up OF and insurance in case of injuries
- DUMP HILL!!!!

kwamebargnani · Post #12 » by **kwamebargnani** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:19 am

hyper316 wrote:- sign Fielder for 1B, move Lind to LF.

ughhhhhhh Lind in the outfield = Fail

Post #13 » by **Geddy** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:49 am

I guess he wouldn't be bad for a platoon type guy if he comes cheap. Sure beats pinch hitting with guys like Johnny Mac, and McCoy.

Post #14 » by **OldNo7** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:13 am

Maybe Thames should start shagging flies in left field too.

Post #15 » by **Duffman100** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 2:11 pm

kwamebargnani wrote:Hey, i'm not sure if you're joking but his defense has come a long way.

I'm not sure if you're joking.[/quote]
His defense has been fine ever since that circus show vs Tampa and e probably won't be asked to field much anyway. It's just good to have someone who can play 1B, 3B, LF on occasion.[/quote]

Fine, maybe...but fine to me means mediocre. I don't think he even qualifies as that.

An .877 fielding % at 3b this year? YIKES.

augustine · Post #16 » by **augustine** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:23 pm

Playing EE at 2nd could solve a lot of problems. Question is, can he play there? His defensive issues have always been throw related, so this may be easier from 2B. The DP may be a problem. But then, when you think of it, the only whole next year is 2B, and the only player without a role (assuming Thames is DH and Snider is LF, which is how it should be) is Encarnacion.

Wo1verine · Post #17 » by **Wo1verine** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:42 pm

Relentless88 wrote:
TorontoRaptures wrote:EE has been red hot the past month or two. He's been painfully inconsistent over his career, but when he's on, he can really mash. Also, his defense seems to have improved quite a lot.

One final thought to consider:
EE is 28 years old and has a career .791 OPS.
Lind's 28 years old and has a career .793 OPS.

Just proves that Lind is not a dependable first basemen if we want to content. .793 career OPS is not going to cut it in the AL East.

We need Fielder or Pujols this off season. Or someone else via trade.

Yeah, Rogers needs to open up their wallet and sign one of those guys.. The great teams like Boston and New York have all-star 1B, It's time we step up to the plate and get one too.

Avp115 · Post #18 » by **Avp115** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:04 pm

What's encarnacions career avg as a DH?

Post #19 » by **Duffman100** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:29 pm

augustine wrote:Playing EE at 2nd could solve a lot of problems. Question is, can he play there? His defensive issues have always been throw related, so this may be easier from 2B. The DP may be a problem. But then, when you think of it, the only whole next year is 2B, and the only player without a role (assuming Thames is DH and Snider is LF, which is how it should be) is Encarnacion.

Not enough lateral quicks. I honestly think he'd be the worst defensive 2B in the league, by far.