Enormously Encouraging Enlightenment: Blue Jays Executives Extend Edwin Encarnacion

The Toronto Blue Jays will very likely not trade 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion by the trade deadline, as Alex Anthopoulos has decided to extend the contract of their cleanup hitter. The Blue Jays have reached an agreement with Encarnacion on a 3-year, $27 million contract through 2015 that includes a $10 million club option for the 2016 season.

Encarnacion was first acquired by the Blue Jays, along with Zach Stewart and Josh Roenicke, from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline in 2009 for Scott Rolen. During his tenure as a Blue Jay, he was optioned, designated for assignment, and was even claimed on waivers by the Oakland Athletics in November 2010. The A's eventually non-tendered him, and two weeks later he re-signed with Toronto to a 1-year, $2.5 million contract for 2011 with a $3.5 million club option for this season, which was picked up during the past offseason.

I had an inkling that something was happening with Encarnacion when Bluebird Banter's TonyFernandezSavedMyLife (follow him on Twitter @TFSML) spotted him on a flight from Tampa to Toronto late last night, flying in one day earlier than expected.

Congratulations to Edwin. He had been derided and even hated by Toronto fans for his poor defense at third base, but he has turned out to be a very valuable piece of the Blue Jays. I have always enjoyed his big smile, which he has flashed a lot more of this year. Thank you for being a Blue Jay, and I look forward to seeing you play in downtown Toronto for the next four years!

Thanks jays182 for getting the initial story up so quickly.