Blue Jays lock up slugger Edwin Encarnacion with 3-year, US$27-million deal

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have locked up one of their key offensive threats, signing Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year deal worth US$27 million.

The deal, which was announced Thursday, includes a $10-million club option for the 2016 season.

The 29-year-old native of La Romana, Dominican Republic is having a breakout offensive year for the Blue Jays. He is currently batting .295 with 23 home runs and 58 RBIs.

He is currently tied for fourth in the American League in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage (.595) and seventh in RBIs. He has also stolen a career-high nine bases this season.

The six-foot-two, 220-pound first baseman is in his eighth season and has a career .267 average with 140 home runs and 450 RBIs for Cincinnati and Toronto.