CHICAGO — The Yankees’ biggest need these days is starting pitching, but that didn’t distract Brian Cashman from seeing what was available to bolster the lineup.
So, the general manager engineered a deal Saturday night that brought Edwin Encarnacion from the Mariners to The Bronx. The deal was reported by ESPN and confirmed by a person with knowledge of the trade.
The Yankees parted with 19-year-old pitching prospect Juan Then according to The Post’s Joel Sherman. Then, a right-hander, pitched for the Yankees East team in the Gulf Coast League last year and went 0-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 11 starts. Originally signed by the Mariners, the Dominican Republic native was acquired by the Yankees from Seattle on Nov. 18, 2017, with lefty pitcher JP Sears for Nick Rumbelow.
The Mariners sent $8.4 million to the Yankees in the deal. For luxury-tax purposes the Yankees are on the hook for roughly $3.4 million. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved reliever Jake Barrett to the 60-day IL. They will have to make a move on the 25-man roster when Encarnacion arrives.
Encarnacion, 36, led the AL in homers with 21 entering Saturday’s action. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez was second with 20. Encarnacion was third in the AL with 49 RBIs. He played 45 games at first base and 19 as the DH for the Mariners, who were the right-handed hitter’s fourth team.
Encarnacion has 401 career homers and is likely going to share first base and DH duties with Luke Voit.
Since the deal wasn’t announced until the Yankees were long gone from Guaranteed Rate Field, manager Aaron Boone wasn’t in position to address adding another lethal right-handed bat to go with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge when they return from the injured list.
“There is always room for good players,’’ Boone said with a smile after the Yankees’ 8-4 win.
J.A. Happ was a teammate of Encarnacion’s in Toronto and was stoked about the deal.
“He is one of the best in my opinion,’’ Happ said when asked about Encarnacion as a hitter. “He is a pro and will fit in good here. I know he is excited to come here. He doesn’t say a lot and works hard and is prepared. Anybody is excited to come here with the potential we feel we have this year.’’