Report: White Sox in very serious pursuit of Edwin Encarnacion

After winning the Dallas Keuchel sweepstakes, the Chicago White Sox could be back for an encore.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported on Monday that the White Sox are “very serious” in their pursuit of free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion and appear to be at the “forefront” of talks.

The former All-Star Encarnacion will turn 37 next month, but he nevertheless enjoyed a productive 2019 campaign. In 109 appearances between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees, Encarnacion hit .244 with 34 home runs and 86 RBIs. Those numbers might have been even gaudier if not for a fractured wrist in early August that cost him the rest of the season.

Encarnacion would make a fine designated hitter for the White Sox, especially with top prospect Zack Collins probably not ready for full-time duty just yet. The team has been in the market for a big bat this offseason after all.