The 2016 Cleveland Indians made it all the way to the 7th game of the World Series against the Cubs. This task was accomplished without their best hitter Michael Brantley, whom finished 3rd in the 2014 MVP race. But, what got the Indians to the Fall Classic was their brilliant pitching. Without their #2 and #3 starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar they shut down the Jays and Red Sox. 2017 will see the return of the 3 stars for Cleveland…….and a new first baseman by the name of Edwin Encarnacion.
The premier slugger reportedly agreed to a $60 million 3-year deal with the Indians on Thursday December 22. The now former Blue Jay will join a lineup that consists of Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley. Encarnacion has produced a slugging percentage of .529+ in each of his last 5 seasons. Mike Napoli was a crucial 1st base bat during the Indians’ 2016 run, but his offensive WAR was only a 1.4. Sure 34 homers and 100+ RBI’s was a sweet piece of that lineup, but Edwin is on a whole other level. A lineup of 9 Encarnacion clones would produce a winning percentage of .635, that’s 102 wins. Replace him with Napoli, it’s a .552 winning percentage (89 wins).
The numbers go on and on supporting the fact that Encarnacion is one of the games best sluggers. He has an impactful bat to say the least. 2013-2015 proved to be good years for the Indians, but they were a couple pieces away from the championship level. Despite the offense’s best efforts, the Indians didn’t score enough or get those big hits in games 5, 6, and 7. Edwin Encarnacion lives for the big moments. The acquisition of super reliever, Andrew Miller, put the Tribe over the top in 16’. Lack of big hits in those last 3 games is what made Cleveland come up short. Not only does Encarnacion make the Indians’ lineup one of the best in baseball, but one of the favorites to win the 2017 Fall Classic.
