Yanks acquire Encarnacion from M's

While the Yankees hope to get sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton back from injury soon, it hasn’t stopped the team from adding another slugger to the mix. New York bolstered its lineup Saturday, as the Yanks announced they have acquired Edwin Encarnacion from the Seattle Mariners.

The Yanks are sending 19-year-old right-hander Juan Then -- their No. 27 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- and cash considerations to Seattle. A source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that the Mariners will pick up about half the money still owed to Encarnacion (he's owed more than $15 million in salary and buyout).

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“He’s a pro and he’s going to fit in great here, and I know he’s going to be excited to come here,” said Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ, a former teammate of Encarnacion with the Blue Jays. “He doesn’t say much, but he works hard and is prepared.”

Encarnacion, 36, now heads back to the American League East, where he became one of the game’s most feared power hitters from 2009-2016 as a member of the Blue Jays. He's hit .241 with an AL-leading 21 home runs and an .888 OPS in 65 games with the Mariners this season.

The three-time All-Star will now likely be entrenched in the middle of the Bombers’ lineup and receive the lion’s share of the at-bats at designated hitter while occasionally splitting time with Luke Voit at first, leaving Kendrys Morales's role up in the air when he returns from injury.

The trade also further crowds the Yankees’ outfield picture, as Judge and Stanton will likely go back to the corner-outfield spots upon their return. With Aaron Hicks manning center field, it could force Brett Gardner and Clint Frazier to bench roles, leaving many wondering if there will be more moves to come leading up to the July 31 Trade Deadline.

“I don’t know who’s not excited to play for the Yankees,” Happ said. “He’s going to fit right into our lineup, and taking pressure off of other guys is a good thing.”

Encarnacion carries a career .263/.353/.498 slash line and ranks 56th all-time with 401 home runs. He sports an .840 OPS with 18 homers in 69 games at Yankee Stadium.

To make room for Encarnacion on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred pitcher Jake Barrett to the 60-day injured list.

Then was traded from the Mariners, along with pitching prospect JP Sears, to the Yankees for right-hander Nick Rumbelow in 2017. The Mariners released Rumbelow on Wednesday.