Shi Davidi: Edwin Encarnacion is a key piece to the equation

[polo007]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2012/0 ... n_signing/

A dawning reality is that the rotation issues the club is facing now will continue into next year without some external help, since Kyle Drabek is unlikely to be much of factor having undergone Tommy John surgery in June, and Drew Hutchison anything but a certainty from a durability perspective once he returns from a sprained elbow ligament.

Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire may be ready by then but can't be counted on, any contribution from Dustin McGowan must be made in the pleasant surprise category, Brett Cecil has yet to show he's a long-term answer, and the club's elite pitching prospects remain at least a year or two away.

That means at minimum two spots are open in a rotation fronted by Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow and Henderson Alvarez, who's endured some harsh growing pains this year and who some suggest may not survive as a starter without some swift improvement to his breaking ball.

On top of that, Anthopoulos will need to plug several holes in a bullpen that right now only projects to have Casey Janssen and Darren Oliver (whose option for 2013 seems like a no-brainer) back for next year. Jason Frasor, Carlos Villanueva and Francisco Cordero are eligible for free agency and while closer Sergio Santos remains under control, he's a question mark until he proves the shoulder injury that was supposed to be minor, but threatens to keep him out all season, is a thing of the past.

Sam Dyson and Aaron Loup, called up from double-A New Hampshire on Thursday to replace the surgery-bound Luis Perez, are rookies who might develop into legitimate options, while Chad Beck and Evan Crawford may also be useful pieces in the system.

Still, put all that together, and then consider the need to address second base in one form or another with Kelly Johnson's pending free agency, plus the upward pressure from top prospects Anthony Gose, Travis d'Arnaud and Adeiny Hechavarria (who may either end up at second, or shift Yunel Escobar over from shortstop) and Anthopoulos and his staff will more than have their hands full this winter.

Having the Encarnacion situation sorted now puts a key piece of the Blue Jays puzzle in place, keeping the team from needing to find another cleanup hitter that can handle the DH duties and also play a strong first base, insurance if Adam Lind doesn't regain his form.

[Chevy Chase]

New?

[Graham's Cracker]

I said the same thing yesterday. We really needed to do away with the uncertainty and negotiations of EE and the DH/1B position. We have enough needs and question marks to address between now and next season.

[Raptor04]

Looks like Shi has been paying attention to the thread I made

viewtopic.php?f=123&t=1194898

As for the article, I'd agree he is a key piece, but this really shouldn't put to rest the need to bring in another potent bat this offseason. If we can bring in one more big bat (Ortiz esque) then it will really set us up well for our 1-6 hitters:

(Gose)
Rasmus
Bautista
(FA)
Lawrie
Encarnacion