Interesting article. Of course, some things most fans wouldn't likely know.
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/12/23...cion-departure
The thought was that signing a soon-to-be 34-year-old — who is destined to become a full-time DH — to so much term and money wasn’t in their best interest.
After striking a two-year deal with Steve Pearce about a month later, the Jays pretty well shut the door on any chance of Encarnacion returning.
Harken back to spring training last year. Encarnacion told the Sun’s Bob Elliott he didn’t think the Jays had it in their plans “for me to stay here,” adding that he was “disappointed” a contract extension hadn’t been reached.
With Encarnacion taking his parrot show to Cleveland, it’s likely the Jays won’t be flying as high in 2017. Not only are they losing a man who averaged 39 home runs over the past six years, the division has become that much tougher.
Of course, if the Jays make the playoffs in 2017 and advance to the ALCS or World Series, all will be forgiven. But if they take a step backward, the fans will turn on GM Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro. Many already have.
Encarnacion had become a huge fan favourite at the Rogers Centre with his quiet professionalism and ability to get a big hit when it counts. Now he’ll have a great opportunity to win a World Series with Cleveland