Jose Bautista’s tenure in the Great White North might be coming to an end.
The right fielder/designated hitter rejected the Blue Jays’ qualifying offer Monday, becoming a free agent. And Toronto reportedly is very willing to let Bautista walk.
The Blue Jays “do not seem at all interested in Bautista beyond the draft pick that they’ll be getting if/when he signs elsewhere,” FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported Monday.
Bautista struggled in 2016, putting up a career-worst .234/.366/.452 slash line in an injury-shortened season of 116 games. The 36-year-old did, however, manage to hit 22 home runs and total 69 RBIs despite missing a quarter of the season.
Toronto already agreed to a three-year contract with DH Kendrys Morales and reportedly still is trying to re-sign first baseman and sometimes designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion. With that in mind, it’s not too hard to imagine Bautista moving on from the Blue Jays this offseason.
Thumbnail photo via Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports Images
