Poll: Will the Yankees exercise Edwin Encarnacion’s 2020 option?

Just two months remain until the offseason. While by no means should we skip over what will likely be a busy couple of months, it is still worth looking at some of the biggest contract decisions that could go down over the winter.

The New York Yankees have the opportunity to exercise or decline the 2020 contract option for slugger Edwin Encarnacion at the conclusion of this season. Looking beyond this year, Encarnacion would be subject to $20 million in 2020 if the team picked up his option. If they choose to decline it, they will still owe Encarnacion $5 million to buy out the clause.

Encarnacion, a Rep 1 Baseball client and former ninth round pick, is slashing just .240/.346/.518 with 76 runs knocked in on 92 hits, including 17 doubles. His most eye-popping stat is home runs, of which he currently has 30. That does not include any of the last five weeks, a stint that has seen him stuck on the injured list. So, yeah, some pretty good numbers for just 103 games of baseball between two clubs this year (he was traded from the Mariners to the Yankees back in June). He has also recorded 57 walks and 96 strikeouts. He’s aging fast, but he can still hit for power, and after posting a 2.2 fWAR this season, it seems like he’s not slowing down just yet.

The Yankees need to decide if they want Encarnacion to stay in the Bronx and be paid $20 million in 2020. If they decides he is worth significantly less than that, they can buy out his contract for a $5 million fee.

My guess is that they will exercise his 2020 option. You can’t just consider the $20 million. Take note that that $20 million minus the $5 million buyout is $15 million, so really ask yourself if he is worth $15 million. I would say he most certainly is. He is in a good situation in New York, the Yankees seem to like him, and he’s had a big impact on their lineup since being traded from the Mariners mid-season. But we want to hear your thoughts, too! Vote in this poll what you think will happen, and justify your pick in the comments.