Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the past six years. Since his breakout season of 2010, Bautista has batted .268/.390/.555 with 45 homers per 162 games played. Bautista is getting set for his age-35 season, and he’s also entering the final year of a six-year, $78 million contract that’s been a substantial bargain for the Jays. On that front, Bautista and the team are reportedly discussing a contract extension.
Regarding all of that, TSN’s Rick Westhead on Tuesday reported that Bautista is seeking from the team a five-year deal that would pay him roughly $150 million. That would be a steep price for a player’s age-36 through age-40 seasons, even a player as accomplished as Bautista. Of course, there’s also this …
Jose Bautista on report he asked for $150m over five years: “False.” #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) February 23, 2016
False! Who’s to say, of course. This could be false posturing on the part of Bautista or on the part of what’s very likely the team source who leaked the figure in the first place. It’s all a negotiation, and sometimes the negotiation is done in public. For now, though, Joey Bats isn’t copping to that reported opening offer.
Jose Bautista, possibly demonstrating how large he’d like his next contract to be. (USATSI)
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