Jose Bautista’s decision to sign with the Atlanta Braves was motivated by more than just money.
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reported on Friday that the former All-Star slugger had a bigger offer from the Cleveland Indians that he turned down. Cotillo also adds that the deciding factor was Bautista’s relationship with Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, who previously held the same position with Bautista’s former team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Indians made a higher offer to Jose Bautista than the Braves did, sources tell SBN. Bautista’s relationship with Alex Anthopoulos was the deciding factor. CLE, ATL, one other club in it until the end.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 20, 2018
The 37-year-old stunned many by signing a one-year minor-league deal with the rebuilding Braves earlier this week. It is especially surprising in retrospect given that the Indians are a legitimate World Series contender and Bautista has yet to win a ring as he enters his 15th MLB season.
Granted, the Braves have an interesting strategy for how they are going to deploy Bautista, so perhaps that factored into his decision as well.
