Encarnación welcomes pinstripe pressure
At age 36 and in his 15th season in the major leagues, Edwin Encarnación had long ago stopped attaching himself to any one team. He’d been traded three times in his career and was already expecting a fourth change of venue when he reported to spring training. Barring an unforeseen surge, the Mariners were about to begin an overhaul of their roster, which made Encarnación and his $20 million annual salary expendable.
So the countdown began: the question wasn’t whether the slugger would be moving – but where?
Encarnación knew his predominant skill, hitting home runs, would be valued in either league, any division. Nothing translates in today’s game like naked power. But as to pinpointing his next destination, Encarnación’s inner GPS drew a blank. That is, except for one certainty: he wasn’t getting traded to the Yankees.
His instincts were right, especially since the Bombers’ two primary beasts, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, were due to come off the Injured List within the next few days. If any club was overloaded with power, it was the Yankees. But what Encarnación didn’t factor in was general manager Brian Cashman’s inverse thinking. The GM wanted to build on a known asset, overwhelming power, especially at home, as a way of turning the Yankees’ into an unstoppable force.
When Encarnación was told of the deal that sent him to New York over the weekend, the Dominican-born star was caught off guard. “It surprised me,” is what the veteran said. “I was like, ‘Oh.’”
Encarnación was then asked for a scouting report on a lineup that’s about to boast comic-book strength. He smiled thinly and said, “I can’t wait to see,” he said. “We’re going to hit a lot of home runs. We’re going to win a lot of games.”
That’s exactly what Cashman is hoping for, starting this week. The Yankees are in their most important stretch of 2019 – seven games against the Rays and Astros that will go a long way toward determining who’s who in the American League. If the Bombers are plotting a path to the World Series, logic says they’ll have to get through Tampa Bay and Houston first, the Nos. 1 and 2 pitching staffs in the league.
That’s where Encarnación comes in. He’s hit 18 home runs at Yankee Stadium, the second most of any road ballpark throughout his career. And with 401 homers on his resume, including seven consecutive 30-home run seasons, it’s clear the Yankees are once again all in on punishing opposing pitchers, at least for now. Obviously, the Yankees still need help in the starting rotation. And if anything, the deal for Encarnación, which sent prospect Juan Then to Seattle, turns up the heat on Cashman to find an ace.
So far, the search has yielded little: free agent Dallas Keuchel chose the Braves for slightly more money than what the Yankees were offering. And Cashman’s interest in the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner is currently tepid, according to those familiar with his thinking. The GM may be holding out for Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays or perhaps he’s patiently waiting for the biggest prize of all, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer.
Cashman admitted, “I’ve got more work to do” as he’s been calling other executives throughout the industry. But with the July 31 trading deadline more than six weeks away, Cashman figures to move slowly, which is another way of saying it’ll be up to the offense to carry the Bombers in the meantime. That mandate suits both Encarnación and his new teammates just fine. Didi Gregorius said, “this will be the best lineup I’ve ever played on.” Manager Aaron Boone was slightly more restrained, but admitted, “this has a chance to be very special.”
To a man, the Yankees say Encarnación will help in two ways – on the field and in the clubhouse. He comes to the Bombers with a reputation for maturity and restraint, two qualities that could rub off on fellow Dominican Gary Sanchez.
Speaking of Encarnación, first baseman Luke Voit said, “Edwin does things the right way. You can’t tell if he’s had a great game or gone 0-for-4. He stays on an even keel.”
Encarnación’s introduction to the Yankee family was a modest one: he was held hitless while Masahiro Tanaka was shutting out the Rays, 3-0, on Monday. No doubt Encarnación was hoping for a more breathtaking opening act, but true to his understated nature, he merely said, “I’ll get ‘em tomorrow. I saw a lot of pitches, I just missed. Tomorrow.”
Still, Encarnación got a real-time sample of the Stadium’s energy and what it means to drop into a quasi-playoff game in June. That’s one reason he’s looking forward to the next three months and the promise of a busy October.
“Every time I’ve ever played here, this place is packed,” Encarnación said.
For some, the stage is just too big. Think: Sonny Gray and you understood why New York isn’t for everyone. But Encarnación not only welcomes the pressure, but he’s wrapped his arms around the idea of being the centerpiece of a nuclear lineup.
“I play to win,” Encarnación said, grinning broadly. No translation was necessary.
Featured Image: Adam Hunger / Getty Images Sport