Phillies pending free agent Jose Bautista tells FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (video link) that he plans to continue his career in 2019, which would be his age-38 season. Bautista would like to suit up for a contender next year, Rosenthal says.
Considering his output dating back to 2017, Bautista may not be in position to dictate the type of team he plays for next season. While he was among the game’s most feared sluggers as a Blue Jay from 2010-16, Bautista’s now set to finish up his second straight less-than-stellar offensive campaign. Still, Bautista has been roughly average this year by FanGraphs’ wRC+ metric (101), having compiled an unusual .199/.339/.370 line in 384 plate appearances as part of a National League East tour that has seen him play for the Braves, Mets and Phillies.
While he’s not exactly a defensive standout, Bautista has racked up plenty of action in the outfield and at third base, and that versatility impressed Mets manager Mickey Callaway, Rosenthal notes. Further, Rosenthal adds that Bautista has been a valuable mentor during his short stay in Philadelphia – which acquired him from New York less than a month ago.
Since the end of 2015, his last great season, Bautista has totaled just 1.5 fWAR in 1,588 PAs. Bautista’s days as a quality regular appear to be over, then, though he could continue serving as a useful bench bat in 2019. The right-hander has long offered similar offensive production against both same-handed and southpaw pitchers, which has been the case this season, and still possesses respectable power (12 home runs, .171 ISO) and patience (15.9 percent walk rate). And with a .344 expected weighted on-base average against a .317 wOBA, Statcast suggests Bautista has deserved somewhat better than the middling offensive output he has posted in 2018.
I don’t even know who would be willing to sign him. For years, people would use a player like this and right away point to the Rays or A’s. Can’t do that anymore. Maybe he re-ups with the Mets? Don’t even know anymore
Jose is still a better player than most of the “flunky” overpaid stiff in the MLB!!!!!!
New manager for the jays once Gibby departs. Or maybe a hitting coach?
That’s not playing
I feel bad for the guy. Sometimes you just need to realize that you can’t do it anymore at the level you need to. He needs to come to grips with that and find a way to move on.
He has pretty much a league average batting line. He has flaws and a ceiling, but he can still swing.
No, he can still walk. He can’t swing though.
“He can’t swing” you say. So how did he hit 12 home runs in limited and inconsistent playing time?
the same way he struck out 107 times in 385 PA
Jose can play circles around most MLB players today!!!!
The Pirates will have a temporary need in right until Polanco is better.
That’s not a bad idea at all if the price is right. The Bucs have a definite need for more power in the lineup as it is.
I doubt the Buccos bring back one of their castoffs after a long, successful career outside of the organization. It would be a slap in the face to their fan base.
You are right. Aramis Ramírez was an optical illusion.
Sign one day deal with the jays and retire! As roy halladay did.
What? He can play a couple more years, easy, and still produce good results.
White Sox
Maybe a veteran minimun one year at the very best to a minor league. He was mildly productive. Lousy batting, but good BOP +slugging. He 1 WAR Rating which is passable
Another example of how WAR is a concocted measure of a player’s value.
He wants to play next year? Well so do I!
Such an old comment
If you have 343+ HRs, go for it!
Ironic that most “feared” Blue Jays hitters can’t hit worth a crap outside of Rogers Centre (Vernon Wells… ahem). Makes me think those previous accusations of them having a man in center field calling pitches might be true. Splits during certain seasons are conducive of this. Also, opposing teams do not hit well at Rogers Centre.
Riiight… except EE, Green, JD, etc. It’s called aging and diminishing return as you age. No longer in their prime. Simple as that.
don’t feed the troll folks
What an awful take and assumption
It’s not an assumption. Take a look at some previous home/away splits. some seasons there is almost a .100 point difference in batting average.
He wants to play in 2019… but evidently not 2017 and 2018.
Now THAT’S funny!
In other news, my Baltimore Orioles want to go to the playoffs next year.
I like that Rosenthal adds he would like to play for a contender. Is there a player out there that doesn’t want to play on a team that is labeled a contender? What player says, “Preferably, I’d like to play for a team that’s horrible, a team with no shot at the postseason whatsoever.”
Adam Jones…….
Nice!
ok lets be real though, you took that out of context
Adrian Beltre.
You need a name and a veteran presence. Bautista needs a job.
Welcome to the 2019 Marlins, Jose.
If this season humbled him and he realizes he is not the player he once was and accepts to be a bench bat I would not object to bringing him back next year. As long as he knows he is basically a pinch hitter but in the NL he would get opportunities maybe DH in inter league
The level of play he’s currently at, he needs to be willing to play for whatever team is willing to stroke him a paycheck. That very well could be an overseas team or independent or a minor league contract. He could do that, or simply retire
Every year guys like this are unsigned as the game belongs to youth.
A bad team looking for a “veteran presence” is most likely here. I could also see Bautista having a Matt Stairs type impact on a good team’s bench for some time to come if he wanted that PH role
I feel like he would be a bad role model and veteran example though
Not allowed
I think that Jose got a demotion, by leaving the Mets to go to the Phillies. The Mets gave him a lot more playing time than Philly and his role with Philly is extremely curtailed. He would have hit 14 or 15 hr’s as a Met and maybe 50 rbi’s. That translates to 24 to 28 home runs and 100 rbi’s over a 600 bat season.
Bautista will likely get some interest in him, off season. He could return to the Mets or even the Yankees, or wherever. It’s ain’t over til its over !
A rod hit 33 home runs for the Yanks as a 38 year old, you might recall. Bautista is in good shape for his age and crushed some awesome homeruns, this past season.