The White Sox agreed to a deal with slugger Edwin Encarnacion for one-year, $12 million contract with a club option for 2021, the team announced Thursday.
Under the terms of the agreement, which the Sun-Times reported Dec. 25, Encarnacion will earn $12 million in 2020. The Sox hold a $12 million option for 2021, which doesn’t include a buyout.
Last season, Encarnacion hit .244 with 34 homers and 86 RBI last season with the Yankees and Mariners.
“Edwin is a professional hitter, someone who makes each and every at-bat count,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “His long track record of power is impressive and as a veteran run producer, Edwin adds another threatening bat to our lineup, lengthening our batting order and increasing Rick Renteria’s offensive options on any given night.”
Encarnacion, who turned 37 on Tuesday, has has hit 30 or more home runs in each of the last eight seasons. Though the three-time All-Star can play first base, it’s likely he’ll get most of his at-bats at designated hitter. Sox DHs combined to produce an AL-worst .648 OPS last season.
The Encarnacion addition leaves catcher James McCann’s future in question. McCann was expected to be a designated hitter in 2020 after the Sox signed skilled pitch-framing catcher Yasmani Grandal in November.
To make room for Encarnacion, the Sox designated left-hander Kodi Medeiros for assignment. Their 40-man roster remains at 40.
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