Encarnacion?

I must be missing something.  If I followed it correctly, last December 13 the Mariners acquired Edwin Encarnacion, power-hitting DH/infielder from Cleveland.  Two weeks later they let Nelson Cruz slip away as a free agent singing to Minnesota.  Compared side by side, from physique to OPS, from homers to contract status, these are the same guys, except Cruz is three years older and an established well regarded leader by fans and in the clubhouse.  Both are in their mid-to-late thirties, neither is a long-term prospect.

Why did they let Cruz go?  Why from the moment they acquired him have they lured Encarnacion as trade bait?  Why hasn't a trade come off?

The answer to the final question may be linked to the impasse in signing free agents I discussed yesterday.  Until Machado and Harper sign everything else will hold tight.  There could still be a lot of roster tuning as spring training unfolds.

And, if they do trade EE, who fills the considerable power hole left by the loss of Cruz and Encarnacion?  Vogelbach?  He better show he can hit his weight first.