Jose Bautista has told the Blue Jays exactly what it will take to keep him in Toronto, and he’s not willing to negotiate those terms.
Bautista spoke to reporters at spring training on Monday, and he divulged that he’s not interested in a hometown discount – nor is he willing to work toward an agreement. It’s take it or leave it.
Two weeks ago Jose Bautista told the Blue Jays front office the dollar amount and term is would take to re-sign him. Hasn't heard back since
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 22, 2016
The Blue Jays attempted to negotiate with Bautista's terms but he told them not to waste their time
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 22, 2016
Bautista: "I'm not willing to negotiate. I don't think there should be any negotiation. I think I've proven myself." #BlueJays
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 22, 2016
Bautista: "There's no negotiation. I told them what I wanted. They either meet it or it is what it is." #BlueJays
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 22, 2016
Bautista on hometown discount: "Doesn’t exist. Not in my world. In my eyes, I’ve given this organization a 5-year hometown discount already"
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 22, 2016
It’s tough to pass judgment without knowing what the actual figure that Bautista passed along is, but it’s about as firm a stance as you can get from the slugger.
Bautista signed a five year, $64 million deal before the 2011 season that turned into six years and $78 million after his 2016 option was picked up. It was signed after his breakout 2010 season in which he hit 54 home runs completely out of the blue. At the time, there were completely reasonable questions as to whether he was a legitimate slugger or a fluke, so the Jays were actually taking a bit of a gamble on the chance that a career journeyman was going to continue producing like one of the game’s premier power hitters. As it turned out, Bautista has repaid that gamble and then some, and he’s definitely outperformed the terms of that deal, so he has every right to pursue a big payday in what will likely be his last chance to do so, with Joey Bats turning 36 in October. However, at that age and with an organization that hasn’t always spent freely, that payday may not come from the Blue Jays. He may be entering his last season in Toronto – especially if he isn’t even willing to negotiate.
