Contracts and Career Earnings
During his MLB career, Edwin Encarnación earned $123 million in salary alone. Encarnacion signed a one-year deal with Toronto for $2.5 million in 2010. In 2011, the club picked up a $3.5 million option for 2012. In 2012 he signed a three-year deal worth $27 million. In January 2017, Edwin signed a three-year $60 million deal with the Indians.
Early Career and Development
Signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, Encarnación made his MLB debut in 2005. His early years showed promise but were marked by inconsistency and defensive struggles at third base. After being traded to Toronto in 2009, he initially struggled and was even designated for assignment in 2010. However, this proved to be a turning point, as he returned to the majors with improved power and plate discipline.
Blue Jays Prime (2011-2016)
Encarnación’s career took off in Toronto, where he transformed into an elite power hitter. From 2012-2016, he averaged 39 home runs and 110 RBIs per season while maintaining a .272 batting average. His partnership with José Bautista formed one of baseball’s most formidable offensive duos. During this period, he made all three of his All-Star appearances (2013, 2014, 2016) and helped lead the Blue Jays to consecutive ALCS appearances in 2015 and 2016.
Later Career and Legacy
After leaving Toronto, Encarnación continued his power hitting with Cleveland (2017), Seattle (2019), and New York Yankees (2019). He finished his career with the Chicago White Sox in 2020. While primarily serving as a designated hitter in his later years, he remained a reliable power source, hitting 32+ home runs in each season from 2017-2019.
Playing Style and Impact
Encarnación’s approach at the plate combined exceptional raw power with disciplined pitch selection. His ability to draw walks (881 career) while maintaining high power numbers made him particularly valuable. Beyond his statistical achievements, he became known for his durability (averaging 142 games per season from 2011-2019) and clutch hitting. His “walking the parrot” celebration, where he would round the bases with his right arm bent at the elbow, became one of baseball’s most recognizable home run celebrations and endeared him to fans across multiple franchises. Despite not reaching traditional Hall of Fame milestones, Encarnación’s consistent excellence during the 2010s ranks him among the decade’s most productive offensive players. His career numbers, particularly his home run and RBI totals, place him among the most successful Dominican-born players in MLB history.
