Blue Jays' Edwin Encarnacion: Raising his price before hitting market this winter

Encarnacion launched 23 home runs, tallied 80 RBI and crossed the plate 57 times during the first half of 2016.

Analysis:

The soon-to-be free agent is doing all he can to earn a large payday in the winter. Playing in his 12th MLB season, Encarnacion is on pace to score 100-plus runs for the first time ever while hitting 40-plus home runs for just the second time in his career and first since 2012. He's a mere 31 RBI away from tying the career-high 111 that he notched last year, and is also on pace to set a lifetime mark in doubles. Even more exciting for owners is that Encarnacion has performed significantly better during the second half in recent seasons -- over the past three campaigns, he's hit a combined .259 prior to the Midsummer Classic while averaging .296 following the break.