In his first full season with the Florida Marlins, Juan provided a big bat in the middle of the lineup, nearly perfectly matching his career numbers in average (.270), on-base percentage (.313) and slugging percentage (.446).  He set personal bests in doubles (37) and RBIs (94).  Juan also played flawless defense in right field, handling 336 chances without an error.  Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by the Tigers in 1992, Juan was an All-Star in the Double-A Southern League in 1997.  He made his major league debut later that same season and became a regular in 1999.  Juan was traded to the Reds prior to the 2002 season and he became a member of the Marlins in July.

After the Fish won the World Series for the second time in the young franchise's history, Encarnacion was traded again.  In 2004, with a championship ring on his finger, Encarnacion will don the Dodger blue.  Los Angeles becomes the twelve-year veteran's fourth team.