Tribe set to introduce Encarnacion today

CLEVELAND — The last time Edwin Encarnacion saw the Indians, the slugger watched as Cleveland’s players partied at Rogers Centre after beating Toronto for the American League pennant. Now, Encarnacion is set to suit up for the Tribe and try to help the club realize its World Series title aspirations.

Encarnacion went through a physical in Cleveland on Wednesday, and the Indians have a news conference planned for 10:15 a.m. ET on Thursday morning, which will be streamed live on MLB.com. While the team has not officially confirmed the free-agent signing, which is worth $60 million guaranteed over three seasons, the media gathering is expected to be for the unveiling of Encarnacion as the newest member of the Tribe.

• Watch Encarnacion’s news conference

The Indians reached an agreement with Encarnacion on Dec. 22 on the three-year contract, which includes a $5 million buyout for a fourth-year team option worth $25 million. If the option is picked up, the first baseman’s contract has a maximum value of $80 million.

Once official, the deal to land Encarnacion will represent the largest contract given out by the Indians in terms of guaranteed dollars. Cleveland gave Travis Hafner a four-year, $57 million extension in 2007 and signed …

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