The New York Yankees strengthened their already deep lineup on Saturday after acquiring slugger Edwin Encarnación from the Seattle Mariners.
The Yankees added the American League’s current home run leader (21) in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Juan Than and cash considerations.
The Yankees already have the 4th-highest home run total of any team in the American League with 110, and with their addition of the veteran Dominican designated hitter, they have officially established their lineup as a deep stable of power threats that will be sure to terrify pitching staffs come playoff time.
Encarnación, who is now in his 15th MLB season, has been clobbering the ball so far in 2019. With Seattle, he compiled a .241/.356/.531 slash line with 21 home runs and 49 RBIs. Now, he’ll move to one of baseball’s most homer-friendly parks and look to do even more damage.
The Yankees will benefit from the veteran slugger’s experience and know-how, as his long MLB career and playoff experience will benefit New York come October. The AL East leaders and near-locks to make the playoffs, and Encarnación’s addition was certainly made with an eye looking forward to the postseason.
He is expected to slot into New York’s lineup as its everyday designated hitter, making an already formidable lineup even scarier.
