Jose Bautista has given the Toronto Blue Jays his list of demands for what it would take to keep him beyond 2016. Robinson Cano sits just below him in WAR, but it’s a fair assumption that most would say he isn’t worth the $24 million per season he’s going to get from the Mariners until 2023. “I’ve given this organization a 5-year hometown discount already”. He says he feels he’s outperformed that contract, and he dismissed the idea of a so-called hometown discount. Last season, he hit 40 home runs with 114 RBIs, helping the Blue Jays win the AL East and putting Bautista in the playoffs for the first time in his career. He signed a five-year-$65 million deal in 2011 and the Blue Jays exercised a $14 million option to retain his services this season.
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What’s clear is that it’s clear: Bautista has, in fact, told the Atkins and his boss, president Mark Shapiro, what’s required to seal a deal. “I think I’ve proved myself, and the question has been asked – what will it take – and I’ve given them an answer”, Bautista told reporters on Monday.
“What I can say is that we’re glad Jose is here”, said Atkins.
Over the past couple of weeks he has met with Blue Jays management about a contract extension, and he isn’t bothering to negotiate. The Internet exploded on Tuesday when reports leaked that Bautista was demanding that ludicrous deal, but the 35-year-old slugger has denied them. I didn’t want to waste their time or their effort, so they can start planning ahead, and if it’s not going to happen, they have plenty of time to [respond].
We then discuss the Toronto Maple Leafs recent trades (33:21) and share our thoughts on “what could be”, or “who could be”, coming to the Leafs (36:21). Since it has only three wheels, I think we can fairly call this the world’s flashiest tricycle. The team is also reportedly in talks with the Cincinnati Reds about acquiring outfielder Jay Bruce, but the proposed trade is off at the moment, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. The Kansas City Star wrote that the club values his defensive ability in left field more than most other teams do and Gordon had been waiting on “an inflated market [that] never materialized”. Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do for you?
What if giving Jose Bautista whatever he wants prevents the Blue Jays from re-signing somebody like Josh Donaldson further down the road?
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Jose Bautista’s contractual situation has a chance to be a distraction as the regular season approaches – and even beyond that – if there is no bargain struck between the Jays and their slugger. Hopefully I have that opportunity and that I can run with it. Everyone here is motivated.
