ENCARNACION HAS TWO "SERIOUS" OFFERS

(Oct. 18, 2016 - Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America)

The hot stove sounds like it is getting even hotter and the Edwin Encarnacion sweepstakes may be coming to an end soon. The field seems to be thinning out a little bit and the front runners are making their final push to get Encarnacion to bite. A contract may be coming sooner than we thought. Are the Yankees in the mix?

(Oct. 8, 2016 - Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America)

According to Canadian sports specialty service TSN.ca, Encarnacion could sign a contract by later this week or next week, read that HERE. It will be interesting to see when and what the contract will come in to play based on the upcoming expiration of the CBA on Thursday and what Encarnacion's market value is now the Yoenis Cespedes has signed with the Mets. You can read more on that at BYB... CESPEDES SIGNS...

According to his agent, three teams are interested but will not extend a contract offer until MLB signs a new collective labor agreement. Two teams have already made "serious" offers and those teams are still unknown but the Red Sox, Rangers, and Astros are also good fits for him so I wouldn't be surprised if those are the mystery teams. The Blue Jays are very interested in bringing him back and are "showing Edwin the most love." It sounds like according to his agent the Blue Jays are the favorite....for now.

(Oct. 8, 2016 - Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America)

It is rumored that the Yankees have checked in with Encarnacion's agent at least five times. He would definitely add some missing pop in the Yankees lineup now that Mark Teixeira, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran are no longer on the team....unless the Yankees re-sign Beltran. The Yankees are considered to be a favorite to sign Beltran and he would cost less years and money.

(Sept. 20, 2016 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Now that the Mets have signed Cespedes for four years and $110 million it sets market value for Encarnacion. As good as Cespedes is, it is not unreasonable to think that Encarnacion's agent could get him the five year $125 million he is looking for based on his numbers. Last season Encarnacion batted .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBI's and is one of the best offensive players in the sport. Adding his bat is a game changer for any team.

The Yankees still have the youth movement in mind and want to keep getting younger without spending a lot of money on long term contracts but the Yankees had to make contact here. The Yankees need some more pop and some flexibility at first base if their young prospects don't progress. I believe in this plan, but when it comes to the Yankees you can never be too sure because sometimes they downplay everything and make a splash. Is Encarnacion in the Yankees plans after all? 

Stay tuned...

 --Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ