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

[BramptonYute]

Spoiler:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BrittMcHenry/status/701854225974878208[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BrittMcHenry/status/701853729604161536[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/701857611818278912[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/gregorMLB/status/701857621486256130[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ArdenZwelling/status/701858223305916416[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ArdenZwelling/status/701858748277649408[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/701860185980203012[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/gregorMLB/status/701859234468782081[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/gregorMLB/status/701868124094783490[/tweet]

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UPDATE:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/SportsCentre/status/702180656521068544[/tweet]
UPDATE 2:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/702196848212254724[/tweet]
UPDATE 3:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/702523973905620993[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/702534736703524865[/tweet]
UPDATE 4:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/707627052619288576[/tweet]

[duppyy]

Don't see anything wrong with what he said.

[bringbackhoffa]

trade the bum now for a relief pitcher or 2

[The Duke]

I agree

[Skin Blues]

"Jose Bautista has given the #BlueJays a dollar amount and number of years it will take to sign him. Says no need for negotiation".

So he's really good at baseball, but also kind of an a--hole. Hmmmm OK, have fun with whoever wants to sign a 36 year old free agent in 2017, I guess. For his sake, I hope he's more open to negotiation by then, since he's also going to cost his new team their top draft pick.

[Santoki]

I'm fine with this. Jose Bautista can demand what he wants - he's earned it. With that said, I don't think it should reflect poorly on management to try and negotiate. A negotiation tactic is saying that you won't negotiate and right now Bautista has leverage at this point in the season along with the fact that it's been a 4-month PR nightmare for Rogers. Now fans will hear that the Jays want to nickel and dime Bautista. However, without knowing what number/term he has asked for it's impossible for us to know if that's what's happening or if it's the right decision to accept his demands or not.

Either way, let him discuss this now in February, but if nothing is worked out before the season starts hopefully it doesn't become a distraction.

[BramptonYute]

His contract wasnt a discount. Blue Jays owe him nothing.

[bringbackhoffa]

Rumor is he has demanded 5 years and 130 million, with a vesting option for a 6th year at 30 million. Jays reportedly would like to do something in the 3 year range of $65-75 million

[Santoki]

His contract wasnt a discount. Blue Jays owe him nothing.

This is true as well. People forget back then but it was a big gamble to give Jose that contract. Him and his agent are doing their posturing. It's a business and he's got all the PR on his side. But, Rogers isn't someone that is going to be swayed by negative PR. Their one and only allegiance is to the quarterly report and shareholder.

[Randle McMurphy]

I've been pretty certain 2016 would be Bautista's last year as a Jay since Shapiro came on board and these comments do nothing to make me doubt that. Considering he's been dreadfully underpaid with the Jays for 6 years, it's no surprise wants to make up for some of that on his next/last contract. Betting he's asking for at least 5/100M and Shapiro would be crazy to give it to him considering his age/defensive OF decline (he's also certainly not one to make a sentimental decision). Time to enjoy his last season.

It will be interesting to see if the Jays will focus their efforts on an Encarnacion extension instead. He'll surely be cheaper (if only because he's a 1B/DH...which is where Bautista's future is too even if he isn't ready to admit it).

[Randle McMurphy]

Rumor is he has demanded 5 years and 130 million, with a vesting option for a 6th year at 30 million. Jays reportedly would like to do something in the 3 year range of $65-75 million

Is this Marty York? He had a habit of making up rumours out of thin air too.

[Scott Hall]

What happens if Bautista has the worst year of his career this year or is injury riddled?

I don't blame him for wanting that last big contract because of his age and him being a late bloomer. I think
he'll be one of those athletes that produces into his 40's.

[Steelo Green]

I've been pretty certain 2016 would be Bautista's last year as a Jay since Shapiro came on board and these comments do nothing to make me doubt that. Considering he's been dreadfully underpaid with the Jays for 6 years, it's no surprise wants to make up for some of that on his next/last contract. Betting he's asking for at least 5/100M and Shapiro would be crazy to give it to him considering his age/defensive OF decline (he's also certainly not one to make a sentimental decision). Time to enjoy his last season.

It will be interesting to see if the Jays will focus their efforts on an Encarnacion extension instead. He'll surely be cheaper (if only because he's a DH).

Agreed.

His OF decline just doesn't make him a viable option.

Most likely we keep EE as DH, hope Pompey develops, and Alford is maybe ready for 2017 or 2018 (though I don't know when is the right time to bring him along, maybe you could shine light on your OF thoughts).

Still sad to see Bautista go, but it is the right time regardless. I could see an NL team taking him with the potential DH role headed over there as well.

[bringbackhoffa]

Rumor is he has demanded 5 years and 130 million, with a vesting option for a 6th year at 30 million. Jays reportedly would like to do something in the 3 year range of $65-75 million

Is this Marty York? He had a habit of making up rumours out of thin air too.

You will fear the York once Rosenthal and Morosi confirm the same

[Ong_dynasty]

If that is how he wants to negotiate fair play to him.

But it's not really in his best interest. But let's see.

[Randle McMurphy]

What happens if Bautista has the worst year of his career this year or is injury riddled?

I don't blame him for wanting that last big contract because of his age and him being a late bloomer. I think
he'll be one of those athletes that produces into his 40's.

Bautista has probably regretted not betting on himself in 2011 for 5 years now. It's no surprise that he's choosing to do so this time. We'll see if it works out for him. I very much hope it does.

[Randle McMurphy]

I've been pretty certain 2016 would be Bautista's last year as a Jay since Shapiro came on board and these comments do nothing to make me doubt that. Considering he's been dreadfully underpaid with the Jays for 6 years, it's no surprise wants to make up for some of that on his next/last contract. Betting he's asking for at least 5/100M and Shapiro would be crazy to give it to him considering his age/defensive OF decline (he's also certainly not one to make a sentimental decision). Time to enjoy his last season.

It will be interesting to see if the Jays will focus their efforts on an Encarnacion extension instead. He'll surely be cheaper (if only because he's a DH).

Agreed.

His OF decline just doesn't make him a viable option.

Most likely we keep EE as DH, hope Pompey develops, and Alford is maybe ready for 2017 or 2018 (though I don't know when is the right time to bring him along, maybe you could shine light on your OF thoughts).

Still sad to see Bautista go, but it is the right time regardless. I could see an NL team taking him with the potential DH role headed over there as well.

AA/AAA is a huge step up for him, but Alford might be ready by next spring. It certainly isn't out of the question that we could see a Pillar/Pompey/Alford OF in 2017 (although I'm sure they'd bring a veteran in).

[bringbackhoffa]

Also Edwin is seeking 4 years at Shane Victorino value + inflation so at around 75 million

[bringbackhoffa]

Rumor is he has demanded 5 years and 130 million, with a vesting option for a 6th year at 30 million. Jays reportedly would like to do something in the 3 year range of $65-75 million

Is this Marty York? He had a habit of making up rumours out of thin air too.

You will fear the York once Rosenthal and Morosi confirm the same

also hearing hes demanding a full no trade

[Randle McMurphy]

Is this Marty York? He had a habit of making up rumours out of thin air too.

You will fear the York once Rosenthal and Morosi confirm the same

also hearing hes demanding a full no trade