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MLB Free Agency 2017: Top 18 players left on the market

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a single during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a single during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/DH

When Edwin Encarnacion turned down four years and $80 million from the Blue Jays, there is no way he could have predicted his market playing out like this. Almost all of the teams that were viewed as potential fits for him early in free agency have found answers elsewhere. The Astros signed Carlos Beltran and the Yankees signed Matt Holliday. The Red Sox were long seen as the best fit for Encarnacion, but they do not have the money to spend. Same goes for the Rangers.

The Blue Jays have seemingly moved on from Encarnacion, and a return for him is blocked more so than for Bautista. Toronto made a very early offer knowing that Encarnacion wanted to test the waters in free agency and then signed Morales almost immediately. The new front office wants to transition to a younger team, and there is not much room for Encarnacion on a four-year deal in their plan.

Next: 5 potential landing spots for Edwin Encarnacion

Encarnacion is going to find at least a three-year deal on the market. A National League team like the St. Louis Cardinals or Colorado Rockies may be able to stomach him at first knowing that his bat will still play. If the Orioles are willing to approach $60 million to sign Trumbo for four years, why not spend that same money on Encarnacion for three years? The latter is a far superior hitter and is not nearly as one-dimensional as Trumbo. The availability of cheaper power is holding back the market for Encarnacion for now, but a deal will materialize soon. When that happens the rest of the DH-type sluggers — Trumbo, Napoli, Bautista, Alvarez, Carter — will find teams in a hurry.

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