Yankees decline club option on Edwin Encarnacion

Less than 24 hours after the World Series ended, the offseason housekeeping moves have begun. Earlier today the Yankees announced that they declined the club option for 2020 on Edwin Encarnacion, making the veteran slugger a free agent. The team will pay him a $5 million buyout instead of a $20 million salary next season.

During his short stint with the Yankees, Encarnacion slashed .249/.325/.531 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI. Unfortunately, he also missed a month with a wrist fracture, and shortly after his return suffered an oblique injury. He was invaluable during the ALDS, but simply had nothing when the Bombers needed him the most in the ALCS.

Encarnacion, 36, is a career .263/.352/.499 (126 wRC+) hitter with 414 home runs to his name. Expect him to latch on to another American League team this winter, where he likely will remain a productive DH-bat.

It was real, Edwin. We’ll fondly remember the parrot flying in the Bronx.