Star Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista is looking for a contract that will keep him in Toronto into his forties at a $30MM+ AAV, says Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter links), but the 35-year-old is perhaps more willing to negotiate than some of his prior comments would suggest. Previous reports of Bautista’s contract requests have reflected just that kind of asking price while sometimes portraying his stance as being more firm. Jays GM Ross Atkins made clear recently that talks have been amicable, and Heyman adds that Bautista does hope to continue on in Toronto, so it appears there is still some hope that the sides can come together on a new contract for the pending free agent.
Here’s more from the American League:
- Twins righty Ricky Nolasco believes he should remain in the club’s rotation, agent Matt Sosnick tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). Referencing last year’s disappointing, injury-filled campaign, Sosnick suggests that his client “deserves to show the Twins what he looks like without trying to pitch through pain.” If Nolasco is pushed to the pen, says Sosnick, he’d approach the front office to “directly address his feelings of disappointment” and “ask the team about his other options.”
- The initial returns on Ian Desmond in left field appear to be positive for the Rangers, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. He also notes that the Giants had some interest in Desmond earlier in the winter as a super-utility option that would primarily play in the corner outfield, while the Orioles were involved later.
- Mariners lefty Danny Hultzen has suffered a setback in his bid to get back on the bump in a relief role, Shannon Drayer of Seattle’s 710AM ESPN was among those to report on Twitter. He’ll seemingly rest a while as he deals with shoulder stiffness, which hopefully will clear up on its own. It has been a long and difficult road for the 26-year-old, who has dealt with a series of arm issues since he was chosen second overall in the 2011 draft.
- Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon touched 100 mph yesterday and continues to show good form in camp, as Aaron McMann of MLive.com reports. After a disappointing end to the 2015 season, in which he was asked to leave the organization due to his lack of effort, Rondon has drawn positive reviews so far this spring. “He’s been good,” said skipper Brad Ausmus. “He’s done his work, he’s taken his non-pitching fundamentals seriously. He’s put in the effort and he’s looked strong so far on the mound.”
The Jays aren’t going to be able to keep Bautista unless he drops his price way down. I don’t care how good he was or is, he’s not worth 30 million per year.
Everyone has a right to their opinion. Doesn’t make it right, though
Let’s keep things in perspective. Jose never actually said what his demands were….the media did. He simply said he knew his worth and didn’t care about the economics of Rogers. Having said that… Can’t blame him for asking max money….. We all would in any job. My hope is he understands that the jays have a 2-3 yr window with him… And both he and Edwin can understand that. I think for both of them a $20m each per year for 4 yrs with club option on 5th would be reasonable…I hope they do too.
The market dictates that he is indeed worth $30MM per year, if not a little more.
A DH playing RF deserves 30m? into his 40’s? Fielder contract was looked at as a disaster giving him 24m until he turned 36 and he’s same DH type playing the field, same type hitter. Why is giving the 35yo Bautista 6m more not far worse? What’s wrong with comparing him to Ortiz’s 16m that Ortiz has been making the last few seasons for putting up comparable numbers? As a mostly FT DH, he’s not hurting the team in the field very often, like the other 2 named and Cabby.
Finally someone on here I can agree with. These people think he deserves the same AAV that Giancarlo Stanton got. That’s not happening, I agree with you that around 14-16 AAV would be more reasonable for a 36 year old DH.
Fielder rarely even plays in the field. Rangers have a damn good fielding 1b in Moreland
Ortiz hasn’t had a 5 WAR season since 2007, Bautista has put up 11 WAR in the last 2 years even with below average defensive metrics, Just glancing at their hitting stats and acting like they are the same player, or calling Bautista a DH to try and make your argument is just childish. When Bautista is actually forced to be a DH because his fielding is that bad, then get back to me. Below average fielding does not mean you’re a “DH-type”, DH’s are INCAPABLE of playing the field reasonably, Bautista is far from a “DH-type”, he’s still playing a fairly premium position at a reasonable standard. Ortiz can’t even log a few games at 1B without his defensive metrics caving under his horrendous mobility.
I like your comments Stormie.
I am for J Baustista staying with the Jays, for who would replace him, if he walks?
And not only as a player, but also as a mentor? Look at what he has done with Edwin. Donaldson grooved his swing after JB’s. And with out taking away from the wonderful work Jacoby does,( for I believe Jaiocby is a magician ), I look forward to what Bauts will do for the skills and mindset of Jr Lake, for example, this coming season.
(And I didn’t use centre as a verb or an adjective even once).
Maybe if he was in his mid-20s lol
Five years ago maybe. He should be happy with a Carlos Beltran type contract. Unless you are juicing players always decline in their late 30s. Yeah he got hosed in his last contract but he signed his name to it. Expecting the Jays to make up for it now is unprofessional.
I agree 100%. Players do not get contracts to make up for past contracts, whether the player is deserving of more or less or not.
Bautista’s health, age, and level of play will be the determinants of what type of contract he gets.
If Bautista was grossly overpaid by the Jays on his current contract, would he be willing to take a huge discount to make up for it? I highly doubt it. It has to work both ways, and it doesn’t.
No, he is not. Donaldson is worth $30MM AAV of anyone on the Jays roster right now.
I’d offer him $20MM AAV over 4-5 years and even give him a no-trade clause of some sort to give him added security and control over where he plays if Toronto wants to trade him.
Offer EE the same but for 5 years.
See if one, both, or neither accept.
Nolasco is going to express his disappointment? He signed a 4 year contract, and two years into it he’s been neither reliable nor in the least bit good. I can understand why he wants to start because a fifth year vests with IP in 2016-17, but he hasn’t done anything to merit special attention.
The front office should call Sosnick to express THEIR disappointment that his client pitched himself out of the rotation, and ask Sosnick about other options.
Completely agree. He pitched like poop in 2014 too.
No doubt. Just have to shake my head at the entitlement in the game today.
3 years, $90M
No way he gets 5-6 year deal
You actually think he will get 30 million? More like 14-16 for a 36 year old DH
Heyman is still reporting that garbage after both Bautista AND the Blue Jays GM have said those reports are false. Why?
Oh Ricky, you haven’t proven you deserve anything. Even the $49mm you are getting paid. You should probably worry about earning a rotation spot before you tell us how you deserve one. You won’t be handed anything other than your paycheck.
I know all about the feelings of disappointment Nolasco is talking about. Imagine how it feels reading that your team signed Nolasco in the first place. Even worse, imagine the disappointment of actually having to endure his presence on the roster for two seasons. Not only has he been an almost complete catastrophic failure since the day he got off the plane, he’s apparently gonna be a princess about it, too.
The media will keep stirring this pot until it’s over, Jose never should’ve came out and said that