Major League Baseball player Edwin Encarnacion officially signed with the Cleveland Indians Thursday morning to a three-year contract.
Encarnacion, 33, has spent his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, compiling a 12-year career average of .266 and 310 home runs in 1513 games, according to a Indians' news release. He is a three-time American League All-Star selection and has averaged 39 home runs since 2012.
Indians President Chris Antonetti discussed his excitement about the acquisition as well as the process involved in landing the free agent slugger.
"As we had continued conversations with ownership we started to feel the opportunity to maybe align on value with Edwin was potentially possible," Antonetti said. "So we continued to pursue that. Obviously, we got here today and we feel great about it because it's an extraordinary fit."
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Encarnacion admitted that the Tribe's roster and success last season played a role in his decision to sign with the Indians.
"I know they have great, young talented players and I know it's going to be this team for a long time here," Encarnacion said. "That is why I came here. I believe in this team and I believe we can win the World Series with the talent that we have."
Encarnacion did not come cheap. His deal is worth about 65 million. However, he's proven to be a highly productive player, hitting 193 home runs in the last five years, which is second most in Major League Baseball. Last season in Toronto he batted .263 with 34 doubles, 42 home runs, and 127 RBI in 160 games.
Encarnacion was introduced to the team during a press conference. Watch it live below:
