Cleveland Indians: How Encarnacion’s deal affected the offseason

Last year, the Cleveland Indians signed Edwin Encarnacion to a three year, $60 million contract. Could the Tribe be regretting that deal already?

When Encarnacion signed last winter, many viewed it as a great move, getting a star player at a relative bargain price. But this contract has had major implications on the future of the club. At the time, it was a sign the front office was going for a World Series title. After having just lost to the Cubs in a heartbreaker, they went and added more power.

The contract itself isn’t bad, compared to what he might have been able to get elsewhere. But while Encarnacion’s deal may have pried open the championship window a little wider, it also shortened the amount of time the window would be open.

Major free agency departures

Every single player from the 2017 Cleveland Indians that reached free agency has signed with a different team so far. Carlos Santana is gone. Jay Bruce is gone. Joe Smith, Bryan Shaw, Boone Logan, and Austin Jackson are all gone.

They couldn’t afford to keep everyone but if Encarnacion’s contract isn’t on the books, they would’ve been able to pay Santana. They probably could’ve kept Bruce as well, especially considering what he signed for.

They also missed on an opportunity to sign Addison Reed for the bullpen. He wanted to come to Cleveland but the money wasn’t there because of Encarnacion’s contract.

Payroll flexibility going forward

The Indians are projected to carry a $135 million payroll entering the 2018 season. For a small market team like Cleveland, this could be near the maximum payroll the team can give out. Without Encarnacion’s deal, they would have the flexibility to not only retain their own free agents, but add outside ones as well.

Encarnacion is due almost $19 million in 2018 and close to $22 million the year after. At 35 years old, he can still play as a DH to finish the contract, but it could be at the expense of the rest of the roster. Yes, getting 35-40 home runs a year is good production, but decreasing batting average is cause for concern.

Effects on the Tribe’s offseason

Encarnacion’s contract has forced the Cleveland Indians to watch Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce go. There simply wasn’t enough room in the budget to keep those players. With increasing salaries for Cody Allen, Trevor Bauer, and Danny Salazar taking up other available money, there wasn’t much to play around with at the top of the free agent market.

The Indians know they have to work on an extension for Francisco Lindor soon. That will also take up a large chunk of change. With little money to go around, the Tribe are slightly handcuffed by Encarnacion’s contract.

Next: Cody Allen's last year in Cleveland?

With plenty of action still to happen around the league, there could be very little in Cleveland in terms of free agent contracts.