Bautista, Blue Jays revisit contract talks

Jose Bautista may not have many fans in Baltimore, but the slugger knows he can always feel the love north of the border.

Team President Mark Shapiro revealed the club met with Bautista’s agent, Jay Alou, on Tuesday, marking the first time the two parties have engaged in contract talks since shortly after the World Series when Bautista turned down a one-year, $17.2-million qualifying offer.

The familiar confines of Toronto – as well as a cold market that’s apparently not too keen on five-year contracts for 36-year-old players – are believed to at least be factors in Bautista’s decision to come back to the bargaining table with the Blue Jays.

Much like fellow slugger Edwin Encarnacion, Bautista had rejected Toronto’s qualifying offer in order to test the free-agent market. Both players were reportedly seeking five-year contracts in excess of $100 million, and both have been met with lukewarm interest. The L.A. Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly still showing interest in Bautista.

The Blue Jays brass rarely comments on contract negotiations with free agents, but one could assume that if Bautista is still interested in Toronto, his camp has likely whittled down its contractual demands to something a little more team friendly. The five-year term could be a deal breaker, particularly given Bautista’s age and potential health concerns.

Money, as always, will also be a major factor in Bautista’s potential return to Toronto. The Blue Jays have already dipped their toes in the free-agent waters, signing DH Kendrys Morales (three years, $33-million) and utility man Steve Pearce (two years, $12.5 million).

There’s also the possibility that Bautista’s camp is waiting for other big names such as Mark Trumbo and Dexter Fowler to sign on the dotted line and drive up the price for free-agent outfielders. In any event, it appears we may have to wait another week or two before we find out where Bautista will land.