It wasn’t Manny Machado or Bryce Harper, and it did not involve Noah Syndergaard or J.T. Realmuto, but a significant trade did indeed go down at the winter meetings.
Slugger Edwin Encarnacion was traded to Seattle and first baseman Carlos Santana was returned to the Indians Thursday in a three-team deal that also involved Tampa Bay. Seattle also received a Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick.
The Rays got infielder Yandy Diaz and minor league right-hander Cole Slusser from Cleveland. The Indians also acquired first baseman Jake Bauers.
The Indians have been looking to cut payroll, and losing Encarnacion and gaining Santana saves them about $7 million next season. Rebuilding Seattle, meanwhile, was willing to eat more money to get the draft pick and can hope to trade Encarnacion during the season if he’s performing well.


