Toronto Blue Jays: What to Make of Jose Bautista’s Contract Stance
By Paul Taylor
Jose Bautista claims he is not prepared to negotiate, after telling the Toronto Blue Jays what it will take to keep him in Southern Ontario beyond 2016.
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Monday was an exciting day for the Toronto Blue Jays, with the official start of spring training in Dunedin. However, it was the action off the field which dominated the headlines.
Intentional or not, Jose Bautista made sure the organization and fans alike couldn’t just focus on the upcoming season. Speaking to the media, Bautista confirmed he has informed the front office what it will take to keep him in a Blue Jays uniform beyond 2016.
In his defence, the six-time All-Star was merely responding to a question from Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins. In a meeting two weeks ago, the duo asked what it would take to get the home run slugger to sign a contract extension.
Speaking to Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun, and the rest of the media, Bautista said: “The question has been asked ‘What will it take?’
“And I gave them an answer. Which, of course, I’m not going to tell you (reporters).”
There have been some claims as to what the figure is, with some more outlandish than others. However, it’s a safe bet to assume it will be in the five-year, $100 million range.
Regardless, maybe even more important than that, is what Bautista almost casually threw into the conversation next: “I didn’t say, ‘Take it or leave it’ but they asked me what would it take. So I told them.
“Since then, there has been very limited conversation, because there were attempts at negotiation. Then I said, ‘This is not happening’.”
Some people claim the three-time silver slugger award winner shouldn’t be so hard-line. The feeling is he should be open to compromise, in effect giving the Blue Jays a home-town discount.
However, Bautista feels he has already done this during the previous five years. While the $65 million deal may have been a risk for the team back in 2010, he has certainly outplayed the contact.
While there is no way of knowing, you have to wonder if this approach would be different, if Alex Anthopoulos was still around? There was a real bond and trust between the two men.
In any event, this is not the case, with Bautista’s stance forcing Shapiro and Atkins to consider the future sooner rather than later. Do they commit another five-years to a 35-year old, or is it time to move in another direction?
There is no denying the former 20th round draft pick is in tremendous shape for his age. However, he is still at a point where his health and skills could start to decline at any given moment.
Whatever happens, Bautista advised the process will not be played out through the media: “I don’t want to make spring training or the season about my contract situation. I have to be as fair as I can to everybody, including myself.”
Make no mistake about it – in an ideal world, Bautista would prefer to remain in Toronto. However, he knows what his market value is, while also understanding the business side of professional sports.
And for anyone who disagrees with this stance, be honest with yourself. If you had exceeded expectations in your job for the last five years, what would you do?
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What do you make of Jose Bautista’s contract stance? Do you agree with him, or is it time for the Blue Jays to move on? Let us know in the comments section below.