Written by Noah Trister at SeattlePi.com
The Toronto slugger said Monday he has let the Blue Jays know what it would take to keep him, and is waiting for an answer. Bautista is entering the final year of his deal. The 35-year-old outfielder is coming off a 40-homer season in which he helped Toronto to an AL East title and its first postseason appearance since 1993.
“I don’t think there should be any negotiations. I think I’ve proved myself, and the question has been asked — what will it take — and I’ve given them an answer,” Bautista said. “I’m not going to sit here and try to bargain for a couple dollars.”
Wearing a shirt that said “HOME IS TORONTO,” Bautista spoke to reporters for about 15 minutes Monday, after the Blue Jays held their first official workout for pitchers and catchers. It was fitting that Bautista’s comments made the biggest news of the day. Toronto is still a team built around its offense after Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki powered the Blue Jays to the AL Championship Series last year.
Bautista and Encarnacion are in the final year of their contracts. Bautista said he let the team know a couple weeks ago what kind of deal he wanted, and that his agent has been involved in the process.
“I’m not trying to sound like it was adamant and I put down the law and I drew lines in the sand,” Bautista said. “They asked me a question and I gave them an answer.”
Toronto general manager Ross Atkins is expected to talk to reporters later this week. Atkins was hired to work with Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro after GM Alex Anthopoulos left the team this offseason.
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