Edwin wants extension by spring or will be FA next winter

[dagger]

http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/904432

So what is the going rate for a 34 year old DH with nice numbers now on a team loaded with offence?

And do we pony up, or move on, take the comp pick?

[vaff87]

So he doesn't want to negotiate during the season? That's pretty standard.

[Natural11]

If Rogers refused to increase the payroll for David Price, coming off the best Jays season in 22 years, I don't expect them to do the fans any favors for 2017.

Unless Jose and Edwin are fine with what they are making now (or less), it will be next to impossible to keep them both. If they put up numbers similar to 2015, they could both cost 20m+.

[The_Hater]

If Rogers refused to increase the payroll for David Price, coming off the best Jays season in 22 years, I don't expect them to do the fans any favors for 2017.
.

You don't know this for certain. It's not like the payroll wasn't boosted quite this offseason, it just wasn't enough to accommodate Price and $31 million. And I would antiipate that the 2016 revenues for the Jays will be the highest they experienced in years which will give the payroll an even larger boost in 2017. The Jays were only getting big attendance and ratings for the final 2 months of 2015.

[bluerap23]

Just curious - are teams allowed to collect 2 compensation picks in a single offseason? (If both JB and EE leave)

[torontoaces04]

To avoid the pain, I've already purchased a Yankees' Bautista jersey, and Tigers' Encarnacion jersey.

[Yosemite Dan]

If Rogers refused to increase the payroll for David Price, coming off the best Jays season in 22 years, I don't expect them to do the fans any favors for 2017.
.

You don't know this for certain. It's not like the payroll wasn't boosted quite this offseason, it just wasn't enough to accommodate Price and $31 million. And I would antiipate that the 2016 revenues for the Jays will be the highest they experienced in years which will give the payroll an even larger boost in 2017. The Jays were only getting big attendance and ratings for the final 2 months of 2015.

Payroll in 2016 looks to be roughly the same as in 2015. Rogers will be charging much more for advertising for Jays games in 2016 because of the Jays astronomical TV #'s last August, September and October. That should mean a large bump in payroll be available this spring but that doesn't seem to be happening.

[ldnk]

Just curious - are teams allowed to collect 2 compensation picks in a single offseason? (If both JB and EE leave)

Yes, similarly a team can sign more than 1-player and just forfeit their pick in consecutive years. Unfortunately MLB fairly recently changed the rules on compensation. It used to be that "A Level" players like a Bautista or Encarnacion would get you both the 1st round draft pick (outside the top 10) AND a sandwich round pick (after the end of the 1st round). Now what happens is the team that signs a guy forfeits their 1st round pick and the team that loses the player gets a pick in the sandwich round.

http://rallygraph.com/2015/07/22/how-much-is-a-sandwich-pick-worth/

The reality is that the Jays are likely to be better off trading Edwin/Bautista at the deadline rather than letting them walk in free agency. They are more likely to get a player of similar talent value with a more proven minor league record in a trade than the risk of drafting a guy who might make it to the Majors and be a bust. The issue would be in getting them to waive their trade rights as both have the ability to refuse a trade based on their time with the Jays.

[Parataxis]

The reality is that the Jays are likely to be better off trading Edwin/Bautista at the deadline rather than letting them walk in free agency. They are more likely to get a player of similar talent value with a more proven minor league record in a trade than the risk of drafting a guy who might make it to the Majors and be a bust. The issue would be in getting them to waive their trade rights as both have the ability to refuse a trade based on their time with the Jays.

By agreeing to a trade, they're pretty much guaranteeing that they'll get a better contract for 2017 than they would have otherwise. No compensation attached to them means teams can bid freely

[bluerap23]

The reality is that the Jays are likely to be better off trading Edwin/Bautista at the deadline rather than letting them walk in free agency. They are more likely to get a player of similar talent value with a more proven minor league record in a trade than the risk of drafting a guy who might make it to the Majors and be a bust. The issue would be in getting them to waive their trade rights as both have the ability to refuse a trade based on their time with the Jays.

By agreeing to a trade, they're pretty much guaranteeing that they'll get a better contract for 2017 than they would have otherwise. No compensation attached to them means teams can bid freely

great point. hadn't thought of that incentive to waive the no-trade.

[Skin Blues]

Just curious - are teams allowed to collect 2 compensation picks in a single offseason? (If both JB and EE leave)

Yes, similarly a team can sign more than 1-player and just forfeit their pick in consecutive years.

This isn't how it works. All of the lost picks happen in the same draft. So if you sign 3 guys that rejected QOs, you lose your first 3 picks in the draft, excluding any picks in the top 10.

Also, despite getting only 1 pick instead of 2 for top FA's, you also get less for a player if you trade them at the deadline, because the team they're going to is able to get 0 picks instead of the 2 they'd get in the old system. So the new system benefits teams more if they choose to keep the player, relatively speaking. It may still be the best decision to trade a player at the deadline, but it's a tougher decision now that it used to be because teams will be willing to trade lesser prospects since they no longer get those two compensation picks in addition to the two month superstar rental.

[polo007]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BKennedyStar/status/674265772022214656[/tweet]

When Encarnacion first arrived in Toronto at the trade deadline in 2009, he was regarded as a mere throw-in, a salary dump by the Cincinnati Reds the Jays were asked to eat in order to complete the Scott Rolen trade for two young pitching prospects. It was only after the Jays moved Encarnacion from third base to first years later that his career took off, as he was then able to focus primarily on hitting.

Encarnacion will earn $10 million (U.S.) in the option year of a $39 million contract negotiated by former GM Alex Anthopoulos, that paid him $8 million, $9 million then $10 million from 2013-15 with a $2M buyout. At the same time, with the Jays picking up his ’16 option season, he has looked on as he has slid down the financial depth chart to become the sixth-highest paid Blue Jay, tied with starter J.A. Happ. But even Happ has two more guaranteed years at $13 million each moving forward.

“We haven’t ruled anything out on (Edwin) or (Bautista) or any of the guys that are going to be free agents after next year,” LaCava said.

“We haven’t engaged with anything yet. Those guys are special players and we’re fortunate to have them both and their power — then you add Josh Donaldson as well. I mean we’re pretty fortunate to have the type of right-handed power. But that being said, it is a commodity and the market for it continues to rise. At some point, they’re going to be eligible for free agency. To stop them from getting there, you’re going to obviously have to pay the price.”

Being perfectly clear, if it happens, Encarnacion is not threatening to withhold his services from the Jays, neither is he wanting to re-negotiate. He simply would like an extension, beginning in 2017, commensurate with what others around the game are making. That’s fair.

The Jays have several choices should Encarnacion’s agent come calling. They can work out an extension at spring training, they can allow him to play out the year or they can trade him prior to the season or as the trade deadline approaches if the club is not competing like it did this past season.

But for now, Encarnacion remains a huge part of the most productive lineup in baseball.

[bringbackhoffa]

If I am the Blue Jays I would definitely look into something round:
Edwin for Fielder and Tolleson

Rangers get long term salary relief, and a potential draft pick compensation should Edwin not re-sign as a free agent.

Jays get a DH for approx $18 mil/season until 2020, and a high end reliever for cheap

This deal only makes sense if Edwin is looking for an extension at around 4 years $80 million, as Prince is a year younger and potentially a 'bargain' for the new era of baseball salaries. In addition, Prince can potentially hit 40 HR's+ at the homerdome in Toronto, in addition Tolleson is under team control til 2018.

Both Price and EE have similar injury concerns (back)

[RapsAndJays21]

Call it what you will, but I don't like the idea of Edwin not being on this team. The Jays owe it to him to offer him a fair extension right now.

[duppyy]

Call it what you will, but I don't like the idea of Edwin not being on this team. The Jays owe it to him to offer him a fair extension right now.

In Rogers minds, they don't owe anyone anything, especially building a championship team for the fans.

[KL78192020]

Time to trade him. Shapiro will make it happen.

[polo007]

According to the Toronto Star, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com spoke to Edwin Encarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer. He confirmed he met with the team Monday evening and laid down Encarnacion’s conditions moving forward.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2015/12/08/new-blue-jays-gm-ross-atkins-finding-his-way-at-winter-meetings-griffin.html

NASHVILLE—A debut press briefing on Day 2 of the winter meetings by Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins lacked clarity, careening wildly toward the opaque.

But give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the 42-year-old rookie GM was nervous. Or perhaps he had been over-coached by team president Mark Shapiro in the art of saying little. But the 20-minute session in the team’s suite at the fabulous Opryland Resort, the cradle of country music, had his audience humming Merle Haggard’s “Working Man Blues.”

Regarding Edwin Encarnacion and his sudden demand that a contract extension be in place by opening day or else he will test free agency at the end of the season and not re-sign with the Jays, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com spoke to his agent, Paul Kinzer. He confirmed he met with the team Monday evening and laid down Encarnacion’s conditions moving forward. Atkins then commented.

“We’re open and want to work toward players being comfortable, feeling good about the start of their season, and we’ll continue to work towards that,” Atkins said of the Jays’ reaction to the news. “If our phone rings we’re answering it — and working hard to put players in the best environment possible.”

It was pointed out there are 36 position players in the American League that will be making as much or more money than Encarnacion. That list includes Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche, Chase Headley, Colby Rasmus, Rusney Castillo and Coco Crisp. Is Encarnacion the 37th most productive player in the league, or is there a way to correct that inequity in a creative way?

“Here’s what I can tell you about our team — we feel really good about 2016 and we’re going to look to make it better,” Atkins responded. “We are very happy to have him on it.”

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/674353533236416518[/tweet]

[Wo1verine]

According to the Toronto Star, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com spoke to Edwin Encarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer. He confirmed he met with the team Monday evening and laid down Encarnacion’s conditions moving forward.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2015/12/08/new-blue-jays-gm-ross-atkins-finding-his-way-at-winter-meetings-griffin.html

NASHVILLE—A debut press briefing on Day 2 of the winter meetings by Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins lacked clarity, careening wildly toward the opaque.

But give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the 42-year-old rookie GM was nervous. Or perhaps he had been over-coached by team president Mark Shapiro in the art of saying little. But the 20-minute session in the team’s suite at the fabulous Opryland Resort, the cradle of country music, had his audience humming Merle Haggard’s “Working Man Blues.”

Regarding Edwin Encarnacion and his sudden demand that a contract extension be in place by opening day or else he will test free agency at the end of the season and not re-sign with the Jays, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com spoke to his agent, Paul Kinzer. He confirmed he met with the team Monday evening and laid down Encarnacion’s conditions moving forward. Atkins then commented.

“We’re open and want to work toward players being comfortable, feeling good about the start of their season, and we’ll continue to work towards that,” Atkins said of the Jays’ reaction to the news. “If our phone rings we’re answering it — and working hard to put players in the best environment possible.”

It was pointed out there are 36 position players in the American League that will be making as much or more money than Encarnacion. That list includes Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche, Chase Headley, Colby Rasmus, Rusney Castillo and Coco Crisp. Is Encarnacion the 37th most productive player in the league, or is there a way to correct that inequity in a creative way?

“Here’s what I can tell you about our team — we feel really good about 2016 and we’re going to look to make it better,” Atkins responded. “We are very happy to have him on it.”

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/674353533236416518[/tweet]

Translation:
They'll keep EE and try and win in 2016 and if successful management will collect a compensatory draft pick when he signs elsewhere next off-season.

Or if they get off to a terrible start, he'll be traded.

Either way, both JoeyBats and EE will be playing elsewhere in the near future because of our what looks to be approaching mid of the pack payroll.

[polo007]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StarSports/status/674800759972741120[/tweet]

NASHVILLE—When agent Paul Kinzer walked out of the Blue Jays’ suite at the Opryland on Monday night after delivering face-to-face news to the club’s front office triumvirate that the club must negotiate an extension for Edwin Encarnacion by the start of the 2016 season — or he would test free agency in November next year — there was no suggestion of a follow-up meeting by the Jays. Then the door closed.

Kinzer insisted he had not issued an ultimatum and if the Jays’ star slugger was allowed to walk, that the Jays would have an equal chance to negotiate with him at that time . . . just not during the season.

“The last time, Edwin’s deal was done during the season and he felt it was a real distraction,” Kinzer recalled of the three-plus-an-option contract signed at the 2012 all-star break. “When we negotiated the fourth year with (former GM) Alex (Anthopoulos), he said that, if things were going well . . . talks for an extension would be likely. Edwin loves Toronto and he wants to play there.”

“Right now, we have some other things we’ve got to take care of,” Shapiro said, explaining why there is no date to continue talks with Kinzer. “You’ve got 1,000 balls up in the air, and to be successful at these jobs you have to prioritize. Those (extensions) are big issues that are looming but, right now, we have to fill some spots on this team. And in order to have the best team possible, in order to ensure the best sources of revenue, the most excitement for our fans, what we need to focus on right now is 2016.

“Now I think when you get to spring training, or you get past arbitration (in February), the other things that you shift to, you think, ‘OK, are there contractual issues that we need to think abut prior to starting the season.’ We’re just not in that part of the cycle right now.”

In listening to Shapiro, it’s hard to believe they Jays will sign any extensions prior to opening day. Too risky. To have enough money for the extensions, the Jays need to win and continue Canada’s national baseball love affair, which led to one sellout after another in the second half of the season. But to maintain the revenues, they need to play and to win. The Jays will not have an idea on revenue streams before the season starts. And it sounds as if they will choose not to take a chance with Encarnacion.

[bluerap23]

[quote]“Right now, we have some other things we’ve got to take care of,” Shapiro said, explaining why there is no date to continue talks with Kinzer. “You’ve got 1,000 balls up in the air, and to be successful at these jobs you have to prioritize. Those (extensions) are big issues that are looming but, right now, we have to fill some spots on this team. And in order to have the best team possible, in order to ensure the best sources of revenue, the most excitement for our fans, what we need to focus on right now is 2016.

“Now I think when you get to spring training, or you get past arbitration (in February), the other things that you shift to, you think, ‘OK, are there contractual issues that we need to think abut prior to starting the season.’ We’re just not in that part of the cycle right now.”

It is a reasonable point. They are at the winter meetings trying to put a contender together for 2016. They can't be thinking about 2017 right now. It makes more sense to do that after the roster is finalized or later. This is the agent trying to push around a marginalized management team when there is a lot of media attention. I respect the Jays for shrugging if off.