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As the red hot Toronto Blue Jays descend into Boston to begin a crucial weekend set with the Red Sox, the free-agent whispers surrounding their big-money sluggers have picked up once again.

Both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion reportedly "envision" the Red Sox as a potential landing spot in free agency should they not reach agreements to remain in Toronto, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

The link between the sluggers and Boston makes sense, as either player could slot into the team's soon-to-be vacant designated hitter slot from the retiring David Ortiz. Both players also love to hit at Fenway Park: Bautista sports a lifetime .277/.366/.598 line with 22 homers at the venerable stadium, while Encarnacion has slashed .296/.370/.527 in Boston.

According to Heyman's report, Encarnacion is reportedly asking for four years in free agency, while the Blue Jays have apparently offered just two years. Bautista made waves in spring training by declaring the Blue Jays know his price and there won't be any negotiations beyond that.

While Encarnacion has refused to talk about his upcoming free agency since the season started - even when Ortiz endorsed the Red Sox signing him as his replacement - Bautista hasn't been shy about discussing his thoughts on the matter. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old stated that he'd be "stupid to leave Toronto," where he's become one of the greatest players in the franchise's 40-year history.

Both players would be entering free agency for the first time in their respective careers.

I know they could using this a negotiation tactic, as it would be crushing news for them to sign with Boston of all teams and in the same division. They could be trying to get the Jays to panic. Especially if in the case of Bautista. That would be heartbreaking.

On a side note. EE only wants 4 years. Can't they meet half way and give him a little extra $ to sign for 3...no?

Highly speculative piece, trying to combat the SI piece by Verducci....

No new information and nothing has changed. Edwin doesn't tell the media anything and Bautista just told SI that he clearly wants to stay, but again won't be taking a discount.

This is only happening because they're playing in Boston. When the season ends both of them will test the free agent market and if Boston gives them the best contract they'll go there. That's really the end of the story.

They'll go where the money and term is as they should. If the money is the same I think they pick the Jays

Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion reportedly "envision" the Red Sox as a potential landing spot

Nothing could wreak of "I'm trying to get my career back on track now that I'm working at this no-name sports site by issuing a made-up story that actually contains no information" than this sentence.

So... yeah. Maybe they'll consider Boston. If Boston offers them more money, they certainly will consider Boston. But at least everybody is reminded Jon Heyman still exists, at least for this weekend while the story gets coverage and then inevitably fades into obscurity once the Jays leave town.

Fact is, Boston could sign one of them, but not both, not unless they think Jose can play a good first base until he's 40

dagger wrote:Fact is, Boston could sign one of them, but not both, not unless they think Jose can play a good first base until he's 40

Zero chance they sign both with Hanley and Panda still under contract. They can't hide that many big contracts at 1B/DH. If Ortiz retires the DH spot opens up and Edwin makes more sense there than Bautista does. The way Ortiz is playing right now though maybe he has a change of heart. He certainly seems like he could outplay Edwin for another year on a kinder salary.

If Boston does manage to sign one of these guys, I hope they over pay on a long contract and he starts to decline on the first year.... like fat Panda

That would be sweet.

No?

sox got all the offense, they can still add but im sure they will spend on starting pitching instead if they spend big bucks

dballislife wrote:sox got all the offense, they can still add but im sure they will spend on starting pitching instead if they spend big bucks

That's true. They need pitching badly and their offense is elite already. They should be focusing on adding pitching. Anything on the batting side is just a luxury. They don't need it.

...... but when you have a, record like theirs, a budget like theirs, an ownership like theres, a GM like theirs and all the assets to get a deal done. You can afford to go for the luxuries.

If David Ortiz does retire. Boston will go after a big time DH like Bautista or Encarnacion...... "and" the pitching they need.

Keith Law of ESPN and Baseball Tonight joins Game Day to discuss whether the Toronto Blue Jays will re-sign Jose Bautista and/or Edwin Encarnacion.

Law says Edwin Encarnacion is more likely to re-sign with the Toronto Blue Jays than Jose Bautista.

http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/GD_Law_June172016.mp3

Take this with the biggest grain of salt you can lift:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/FadooBobcat/status/744206204294041601[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ArdenZwelling/status/744220839520907264[/tweet]

This isn't even worth discussing. Bobcat has proven time and again he's not a journalist and has no sources whatsoever even when he was best friends with the former President.

lol McCown

Hopefully it was just Bob that got uninvited