Jose Bautista Lays Contract Demands On The Table For Blue Jays

He didn’t mince words, saying he gave the Blue Jays a contract number he’s willing to accept and won’t negotiate. “I think I’ve proved myself, and the question has been asked – what will it take – and I’ve given them an answer”, said Bautista, who is entering the final season of an extension he signed after the 2011 season. Bautista, 35, is playing in his last season of a club-friendly, five-year/$65 million contract. Despite his age, the star outfielder’s value has never been higher, especially after he hit 40 home runs, drove 114 runs and led the league with 110 walks with a. 913 OPS last season. Perhaps the Jays’ can find a trade suitor for Bautista as the 2016 Trade Deadline comes along in order to get back some worthy prospects, if the team knows they are not going to re-sign Bautista in the offseason.

“All of my interactions with Jose have been incredible”, Atkins said.

“What I can say is that we’re really glad that Jose’s here, really glad that he’s a Blue Jay and beyond that, I really can’t comment on negotiations”, said Atkins.

“If this is going to happen, I think it should be natural, organic, quick and easy”, Bautista said.

Bautista got the news cycle churning Monday with his comments about negotiations for a potential extension. Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista takes ground balls at shortstop as shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, left, smiles and watches during the first official spring training baseball workout in Dunedin, Fla., Monda… When asked, Bautista did answer with an ‘emphatic yes‘ when asked if he could play for another five years. RHP Gavin Floyd, who has thrown just 91 innings over the past three seasons due to elbow problems, is progressing well, Gibbons said, and is a contender for the vacant fifth spot in the rotation.

The Blue Jays are owned by Rogers Communications. “There’s nothing we can say”.

“In my world, that doesn’t exist”, Bautista said. “In my eyes, I’ve given this organization a five-year hometown discount already”. First of all, he is in great condition and still highly productive, having hit 75 home runs the last two seasons, not including his dramatic go-ahead home run in the ALDS to help beat the Rangers. 224 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs.

Atkins said Tuesday he wouldn’t go into specifics about the negotiations. “I expect to be a Jay, they expect me to be a Jay and that’s how I’m approaching this spring training”. “They asked me about two weeks ago, and I told them, and that’s it. There’s no negotiation”.

To his credit, Bautista says that he “didn’t want to waste [the Blue Jays] time or effort.’ Furthermore, Bautista said that the Blue Jays ‘can start planning ahead and, this way, they have plenty of time to do so.’ This is clear-cut candor, for better or for worse”.