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Edwin Encarnacion is great signing by White Sox

By Joshua Finkelstein

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees follows through on his seventh inning run scoring single against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees follows through on his seventh inning run scoring single against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago White Sox decision to bring Edwin Encarnacion to the south side in 2020 could pay major dividends for the team as they look to contend. 

Encarnacion, 36, has been one of the best sluggers of the past decade and the 2019 season was no different.

This past season, the right-handed hitter had a .244/.344/.531 slash line with 34 home runs and 86 RBI to give himself a 129 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR across 109 games split between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees (FanGraphs).

With that type of ability to produce, Encarnacion slides right into the middle of the order for the White Sox as the team’s DH.

James McCann and Zack Collins are now pushed into true backup catcher roles as neither will be expected to play regularly.

It also gives the team some flexibility with moving around Yasmani Grandal and Jose Abreu as Encarnacion can still play first base on occasion.

Abreu isn’t exactly a top-tier defensive first baseman so having someone who can spell him at the position in 2020 might be beneficial.

While someone who is already 36-years-old isn’t too exciting long-term, Encarnacion might be just what the team needs now.

The White Sox have a very young core of players that will only get younger when Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal join the team.

Having a proven veteran like Encarnacion on the team could do wonders for the clubhouse and young players.

Furthermore, the team doesn’t exactly need a long-term option at DH as top first base prospect Andrew Vaughn could be ready to become a major contributor for the team soon.

Vaughn, 21, is the 21st best prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline. Given the team gave Jose Abreu a multi-year deal this offseason, one of him and Vaughn will have to be the team’s DH which would likely eliminate the need for Encarnacion in 2021 anyways.

Encarnacion isn’t the perfect addition, but he provides the White Sox with a legitimate power threat in the middle of the order in a time where the team is expecting to take a major step forward.

Next. Three Hitters White Sox Should Try To Sign. dark

Having someone with a proven track record like Edwin Encarnacion does will only help get the White Sox to where they want to be.

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