The Orioles are in the market for outfield help, but it doesn’t appear Jose Bautista will be among the reinforcements.
Major League Baseball’s winter meetings are taking place this week and with that comes a plethora of rumors about players changing teams. Representatives from each club are in attendance and it provides an opportunity to work out trades and check in with free agents.
One player who could be changing clubs is free agent slugger Jose Bautista. One team who doesn’t seem to be a fit is the Orioles, who, as John Heyman relays, were brutally honest in speaking with Bautista’s representatives.
Orioles prefer to keep draft, too, but to explain why Bautista doesn't fit, they told JB camp: O's fans just don't like him
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
O's explanation to Bautista was refreshingly honest. Other factors are draft choice, probably $, etc.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
Bautista actually spent time in the Orioles organization and made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2004. Since then, he has, of course, gone on to spend nine seasons with the division rival Blue Jays. Among the reasons fans in Baltimore aren’t fond of Bautista are probably his history with Darren O’Day and a heated exchange with Adam Jones.
It looks like we can rule out Jose Bautista wearing black and orange next year.
