Pursuit of Edwin Encarnacion clearly signals White Sox’ intention to win now

The Sox are engaged in talks with the free-agent slugger.

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Edwin Encarnacion circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off White Sox relief pitcher Chris Volstad on May 30, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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After enduring three losing seasons in their rebuild, the White Sox have made it increasingly clear this offseason that they will be trying to win in 2020.

If they add slugging designated hitter/first baseman Edwin Encarnacion after Christmas, there will be no doubt.

While catcher Yasmani Grandal (four years, $73 million) and left-hander Dallas Keuchel (three years, $55 million) were added with long-term goals in mind, the right-handed-hitting Encarnacion, who will turn 37 on Jan. 7, likely would sign for one or two years. Without Encarnacion, the Sox could get by at DH with a mix of first baseman Jose Abreu, catcher James McCann, right fielder Nomar Mazara and possibly catcher Zack Collins.

An industry source confirmed Encarnacion has been engaged in serious discussions with the Sox, who would be looking to give their lineup a DH boost not unlike what the Twins got from Nelson Cruz last season at age 38. The Blue Jays also are courting Encarnacion, who played for them in 2009-16.

Encarnacion, however, is mourning the death of his father, which might delay his decision.

The Yankees declined to pick up their $20 million option on Encarnacion for 2020 after he hit .249/.325/.531 with 13 home runs in 44 games for them last season. Encarnacion, who probably can be had for about half that amount for one year, batted .244/.344/.531 with 34 homers, 86 RBI and an .875 OPS in 109 games between the Mariners and Yankees. In 15 seasons, he has slugged 414 homers, is a three-time All-Star and has finished among the top 20 in MVP voting five times.

The Sox also have been linked to right fielder Nick Castellanos, who finished last season with the Cubs, but that seems less likely to happen than Encarnacion. The left-handed-hitting Mazara is the likely starter in right, with switch-hitting Leury Garcia and 2018 Gold Glove finalist Adam Engel providing platoon possibilities against left-handers.

The DH spot has been troublesome for the Sox. Last season, Sox DHs combined to hit .205 with 17 homers.

Adding a veteran such as Encarnacion to a hitting mix that already features youngsters Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert and veterans Abreu, Grandal and McCann would signal the Sox’ intent to make a run sooner rather than later in a vulnerable American League Central.

The Sox are expected to announce Keuchel’s signing after Christmas. They also added veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez to their rotation on a one-year, $5 million deal last week.

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