Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays have not yet talked about contract extension

By foxsports
Published

Edwin Encarnacion, who is eligible for free agency after the upcoming season, has set an Opening Day deadline to sign a contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s less than seven weeks away.

Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOX Sports on Monday that the Blue Jays have not made the designated hitter a multiyear contract offer this offseason.  Kinzer said formal contract negotiations have yet to begin with the team’s new baseball operations leaders, Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins.

“It’s not like we’re upset with anyone,” Kinzer said in a telephone interview. “There’s plenty of time to work out a deal if they want to.

“Edwin loves it there. He’s talked about how, if he has another couple good seasons, he might have his number on the wall. But they [Shapiro and Atkins] are new, so they’re still getting to know everyone.”

Encarnacion, 33, has made two All-Star teams over 6-1/2 seasons with the Blue Jays. His 151 home runs since 2012 are second only to Chris Davis in the major leagues.

Encarnacion isn’t the only lineup cornerstone the Blue Jays could lose after the 2016 season. Outfielder Jose Bautista also is eligible for free agency then, but he hasn’t established a deadline for cutting off talks.