Nobody in the Blue Jays locker room knows Edwin Encarnacion better than Jose Bautista. It’s a tight relationship based not only on their Dominican heritage and their Spanish language, but on a mutual, professional empathy.
Both have experienced the frustration of sporadic playing time and inconsistent production, each knowing in their hearts they were capable of more.
In the past two seasons, Encarnacion has seen Bautista blossom into the superstar he is today and no one has cheered more for those exploits. Now, Bautista wishes the same for his friend.
After a sluggish start to the 2011 season, Encarnacion put together the most consistent half-season of his career after the all-star break. In the second half of the season, he hit 11 home runs, drove in 36 runs and had an on-base percentage of .382 and an OPS of .887.
This season, Encarnacion has arrived in camp in the best condition of his career, ready for whatever gets thrown at him. And the Jays have big plans. He will do the bulk of DH duties but will also provide backup at first base, third base and maybe even in the outfield.
“I just want to help in any way I can,” said Encarnacion, who has come to camp in superb condition at a rock-hard 225 pounds, after a winter of rigorous training.
“Wherever they’re going to use me, I will be ready, any position,” he said.
If Encarnacion in the outfield seems a little excessive, given that the team may carry five outfielders as it is, manager John Farrell has a simple reason for wanting to explore that option.
“When we go into interleague play, we don’t want that bat missing from the lineup,” Farrell said.
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/26/it ... e-for-jays
