SI: Jose Bautista on free agency, "I’d be stupid to leave" Toronto (Update P21)

[tecumseh18]

In the hopefully post-PED era, it's never a mistake to delay contract when dealing with a guy heading into his late 30's (although I wanted to sign Big Hurt a season before we did). The Alfred Pujols deal and outcome really changed my head around on this.

I'm sure Jose could learn 1st base just fine, but Edwin will always be too brittle to play the field for more than a game or two at a time. Meanwhile, Edwin's obvious comparison player - Ortiz - is OPSing at 1.100 so far this season, for $16 mill, at age 40. Man.

... If the starting pitching wasn't doing so well ...

People can rag on Martin for his offensive - literally, offensive - output, but the Jays SPs for the last two seasons have been lights out - surprisingly so. It can't be a coincidence. (Meanwhile, Price goes to Boston and sports an 6.00 ERA and 73 ERA+. But his FIP is only 2.52, helped by his ridiculous SO rate. He obviously didn't need Martin to steal some extra strikes).

[Randle McMurphy]

This decision to force him to play out the season is looking very prudent right about now. If he can't get it going dramatically I don't see how his next salary is near what the rumors were after the "bat flip" peak of emotions.

He's had bad stretches like this before and gone on to have great offensive seasons. As streaky as he is, I doubt this will be any different. That said, he can't play the outfield even adequately anymore and there's clearly something wrong with his throwing shoulder. He'll almost certainly be viewed as a DH this winter, which will reduce his contract considerably.

Think Jose could play 1B next season? I think he could play it better than Edwin if given a full spring training there.

He could, but I don't know that he'd be willing to do so. The team signing him would have to make that known to him when they sign him.

[vaff87]

Bautista says he would be "stupid" to leave.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/05/31/jose-bautista-blue-jays-future-free-agency-quote

[LLJ]

Bautista says he would be "stupid" to leave.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/05/31/jose-bautista-blue-jays-future-free-agency-quote

He copied DeMar for that line!

[Raps_Swingman]

A lot of his business interests are based in Toronto and he clearly enjoys being "that guy" although Donaldson might have taken some of that away.

I've said it all along, he will test the market and see what others offer, if Toronto is close I bet he stays. Unless someone gives him a couple extra years or something dumb