Tampa Bay Rays interested in bringing in Jose Bautista

The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to add another power bat to the lineup. Jose Bautista may be a fit.

After a flurry of activity in reshaping the roster, the Tampa Bay Rays are adding to their roster. They have signed Carlos Gomez to fill a spot in the outfield, and added first baseman/designated hitter C.J. Cron to add more power to the lineup. Considering that quite a few people, including the Rays own players, were questioning the direction of the club, the Rays are doing their best to prove that they are looking to be competitive.

However, even after those additions, the Rays are not done. They are still looking to add a right handed hitting bat, preferably one that can play in the outfield. Obviously, they are looking to add that bat on the cheap, looking for a potential bargain. The Rays even have a target in mind, with former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista.

This is not the first time the Rays have been interested in acquiring Bautista. They were interested in the Tampa Bay resident last year, only to have him return to the Blue Jays. This time, Bautista is also interested in staying in his home town, even though he knows he would likely get a minimal salary.

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For the Rays, Bautista makes sense as a possible bounceback candidate. After becoming a perennial All Star during his time with the Blue Jays, he struggled mightily last year. Over his 686 plate appearances last year, Bautista produced a .203/.308/.366 batting line. His bat looked slow, as he struck out a career high 170 times. At 36 years old, it appeared as though time may have caught up to the once formidable slugger.

Yet, there are reasons for the Rays to remain interested in bringing him on board. Bautista, despite his struggles at the plate, did hit 23 homers last year. He even managed to chip in six steals, and showed the same plate discipline he had in his prime. Baustista even showed some defensive flexibility, playing at third for the first time since 2013.

It is possible that, in a part time role, Bautista would be able to rediscover his batting stroke. With the Rays, he would not be in the lineup every day, barring injuries and players struggling. By playing three or four times a week, a rested Bautista could make a difference for the Rays.

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The Tampa Bay Rays are not done adding to their roster. Jose Bautista may well be the next player to come aboard.