Cleveland Indians Sign Edwin Encarnacion for $60 Million

CLEVELAND, Dec. 22 (UPI) — The World Series runner-up Cleveland Indians aren’t waiting until October to throw its best pitch.

On Thursday, the team signed free agent designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million deal, according to multiple sources.

Encarnacion, 33, hit 42 home runs and had 127 RBI last season while hitting .263 for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Indians, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, and Blue Jays were all in on signing the veteran. The Athletics and Indians pushed hardest for the slugger, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Encarnacion’s home run totals have escalated every year since 2013. The three-time All-Star led MLB in runs batted in last season. Encarnacion previously turned down an $80 million offer to return to the Blue Jays, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.