Toronto Blue Jays Willing to Give Jose Bautista ‘Cespedes-type’ Money
By Nick Fustor
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly willing to give upcoming free agent Jose Bautista a contract similar to what Yoenis Cespedes received from the New York Mets this past offseason. But that may signal danger, as Bautista is five years older and has struggled to perform this season.
It was always expected that the Toronto Blue Jays would have stiff competition to re-sign slugger Jose Bautista in the 2016 offseason. As one of the league’s premiere power hitters for the decade, it seems as if Bautista – even at 35 – would earn a massive deal.
Jon Heyman of Todaysknuckleball.com reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are willing to give Bautista a contract similar to that of what Yoenis Cespedes signed this past offseason. The New York Mets signed Cespedes to a three-year deal worth $75 million with an opt-out after one season, which averages out to about $25 million a year.
Heyman notes that Bautista is seeking a five-year deal worth around $150 million, which averages out to $30 million a year. It’s very likely that some team in the league will follow in the steps of this year’s NBA Free Agency period and throw around ridiculous money – even to a 35-year-old struggling at the plate this season.
Bautista is currently slashing .230/.360/.455 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI – which isn’t bad by any means, but surely isn’t what we’re used to seeing from Bautista.
However, this isn’t anything new for Bautista. Last season, he hit .239 in the first half with 17 home runs. In 2013, he hit .254 with 20. Aside from 2014 and 2011, where he dominated in the first half, Bautista typically gets things going in the second half of the season.
With his strikeout and walk numbers at career-norms, Bautista isn’t pressing at the plate and has adjusted to hitting at different spots in the order. His .360 OBP is right in line with his career average, which illustrates his greatness outside of his power hitting.
While his average could be blamed on a low .239 BABIP, that number was .237 last season and he finished with a .250 average. Bautista may just be regressing as a contact hitter, but that could change with one hot week at the plate.
Although his career numbers indicate he should receive a massive contract, his age and declining stats may prove to be a bad deal for the Jays.
When Yoenis Cespedes signed his short deal, it seemed odd given the massive deals handed out to Jason Heyward and Justin Upton. However, a weaker 2016 free agency class indicates it was clear that Cespedes had primed himself to earn big money this upcoming offseason.
If Cespedes does indeed opt-out and enter free agency, it’s likely that Bautista will wait until after Cespedes signs a deal in order to better judge his value. But given Cespedes’ pure dominance at the plate to this point in the season, it’s tough to see Bautista coming close to what the 30-year-old will receive.
Next: Toronto Hasn't Negotiated With Encarnacion Yet
Toronto would be well inclined to offer Bautista a three-year deal worth $25 million a year in hopes of also re-signing Edwin Encarnacion, but it’s hard to envision a world where Bautista settles for it.