Blue Jays in touch with Encarnacion despite 'less than ideal' situation

After outfielder Yoenis Cespedes officially re-signed with the New York Mets on Wednesday, free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion may have taken over as the most attractive player on the open market.

While rumors continue to swirl about where the 33-year-old will end up, his former club, the Toronto Blue Jays, aren't out of the picture just yet, despite a report that Encarnacion rejected their four-year, $80-million offer.

One roadblock the Blue Jays may need to solve is what position Encarnacion would play, after Toronto signed Kendrys Morales to a three-year deal earlier this offseason.

While Encarnacion could play first base, he spent more of the 2016 campaign as the Blue Jays' designated hitter, a role Morales would likely fill considering he hasn't been a defensive regular since 2009.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins touched on the issue in conversations with reporters on Thursday.

"It doesn't make it impossible, but it certainly made it less likely," Atkins said of Morales' impact on the pursuit of Encarnacion, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

Atkins also said the Blue Jays are keeping in touch with Encarnacion, but added, "Two guys that do similar things is less than ideal for a team."

Encarnacion, who hammered 42 home runs and recorded 127 RBIs in 2016, has received plenty of interest during the offseason, with the Houston Astros reportedly making a hard push, while the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers remain candidates, as well.