The Toronto Blue Jays appear to have serious interest in re-signing Jose Bautista, as team president and CEO Mark Shapiro described the free agent outfielder as “if not the best, one of the best” potential fits remaining on the market.
“We clearly need a corner outfielder and Jose’s probably the most talented one out there as far as offensive production goes and pedigree and track record,” Shapiro told Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt on the Jeff Blair Show Friday.
“On top of that he’s got a premium in this marketplace because of what he’s meant to this franchise over the last eight seasons and who he is in this market and the impact he’s made in the community here.”
If Bautista signs elsewhere, the Blue Jays obtain a top pick in the 2017 draft. That means re-signing him would effectively cost the Blue Jays a top pick and the chance to spend more aggressively in the upcoming amateur draft.
“That draft pick is meaningful. It’s material. It has real value,” Shapiro said. “At the same time so does bringing back Jose and what he can both contribute offensively and what he means to the community here.”
Bautista, 36, hit 22 home runs in 2016 while batting .234 with a .366 on-base percentage. While the free agent market’s deep in power bats, Bautista stands out because of an on-base percentage that hasn’t dipped below .349 in eight seasons.
The Blue Jays need at least one corner outfielder with both Bautista and Michael Saunders now free agents. They have also been linked to free agents such as Brandon Moss and trade candidates including Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson.
