If the reports that leaked out are the exact details of the deal, which was a three-year deal that is worth around $60 million dollars, which also features a fourth year that includes an opt-out clause, it's not only less money than almost anybody had expected that he would sign for heading in to the off-season, but also one heck of an all around steal of a deal.
Now first off, let me start out by saying, I realize that the fourth-year that was included with the opt-out clause may have been something to scare away Mo, as well as many fans too, and to be quite honest, I can understand that. Having said that, I would have been more than happy to have seen a deal struck with him coming to Baseball Heaven for a contract that was around three year's and $75 million -- but if the fourth year was the difference maker, would it have truly made that much of a difference for this team in the long-haul?
Sure, the guy will be turning 34 years of age on January 7th -- but looking back at this past season, at the age of 33, the power-hitting slugger drove in a career-high (127), while tying David Ortiz for the American League lead in home runs (42). The guy is an all around slugger with power that will not dimish much barring serious injury, and besides that, if anything will leave a guy like Encarnacion with age, it isn't power, but it's his bat speed. That never worried me much about him though. He is truly a freak of nature and is a guy that would fit right in with this lineup, especially with Dexter Fowler added in now, and he would automatically add some big-time fear in the middle of the order. Not only would he have given this team a legitimate bat in the middle of the order though, he would have been the perfect bridge-gap for the next wave of prospects that will be coming up soon that are still another 2-3 years away, at least.
If the fourth year of the deal was truly that big of a scare, it shouldn't have been. The main reasons' include the fact that Mozeliak could have had him as trade bait for an American League team for the final year of the deal if he wasn't panning out in the field -- or the fact that $20/25 million may not be that much in terms of production in another three to four years after seeing what guys like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado will receive on the open market.
While I am not going to say that it's an epic failure of sorts' that he isn't in a Cardinals uniform -- mainly because he may have just not wanted to sign here, or he just wanted to stay in the American League with the DH, period, it does leave me some disappointment as the thought of him in this lineup is pretty scary -- and surely would have been a huge piece that would have made this team considered to be one of the best in all of baseball. I still love what this lineup looks like, and still certainly believe that this offense will be much better than a lot believe. Having said that, I do believe adding Edwin with Fowler, compared to just Dex, was the difference between competing for the division title compared to the one-game Wild Card game -- unless another unexpected bat comes along through trade or free agency. Either way though, 2017 is setting up to be an interesting season in Baseball Heaven, no matter what.
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