Rick Westhead: Jose Bautista seeks 5 years $150M

[Maahfaace]

I can't say Bautista has ever been my favourite player but I tell ya, I've watched the Jays throughout the rough years and it wasn't until towards the end of the 09 season that my eyes went bright with excitement watching Jose break out and homer in like 7 of his last 9 games or whatever it was. I got excited for 2010 and don't think I've missed a game since he broke out. It's easy to say we have his replacement in JD, that's obvious from a production standpoint but the combination of Joey Bats leading the way in 2010 and then afterward the new logo, buzz, etc. completely revitalized this organization and made the team relevant again in this city. Since 2011 I'd say more ppl have been wearing Jays gear than Leafs and Bautista has a lot to do with that, it wasn't just because of the modern throwback logo.

 

So while he comes across as an egotistical douche most times, I can appreciate what he's done for this team more than any player in the past 20 years - even Halladay. That may sound a bit extreme but looking back I think he's done more for us than most give credit for.

 

you should just make a poll.....would you suck his dick or not?

[BallsDeep]

I can't say Bautista has ever been my favourite player but I tell ya, I've watched the Jays throughout the rough years and it wasn't until towards the end of the 09 season that my eyes went bright with excitement watching Jose break out and homer in like 7 of his last 9 games or whatever it was. I got excited for 2010 and don't think I've missed a game since he broke out. It's easy to say we have his replacement in JD, that's obvious from a production standpoint but the combination of Joey Bats leading the way in 2010 and then afterward the new logo, buzz, etc. completely revitalized this organization and made the team relevant again in this city. Since 2011 I'd say more ppl have been wearing Jays gear than Leafs and Bautista has a lot to do with that, it wasn't just because of the modern throwback logo.

 

So while he comes across as an egotistical douche most times, I can appreciate what he's done for this team more than any player in the past 20 years - even Halladay. That may sound a bit extreme but looking back I think he's done more for us than most give credit for.

 

Agreed.

[Laika]

Is there truth behind the idea that that A) Bautista is some kind of athletic freak relative to other MLB players, and that being in the 98th percentile or whatever of players his age in terms of fitness is a significant consideration when trying to determine how well he'll hold up? Some of the only guys to hold up into their late 30s recently are Ortiz, V-Mart, Manny, Thome, Bonds, and Beltran. Some huge guys, but probably not better than average fitness for players their age.

 

A is probably true. Not sure about "freak" but that's semantics.

 

B has to be more about logic than empiricism. The information isn't there to test anything. It's not like we have accurate flexibility or body fat % information on anybody.

[Stangstag]

I personally don't give a s*** who plays for the Blue Jays, as long as they are competitive. They could completely gut the team every 2 years and I would still cheer for them. I don't see the need to keep Bautista. He is going to cost way more than what he's worth. He's given us a great 8 years, but its time to part ways.

[KingKat]

I can't say Bautista has ever been my favourite player but I tell ya, I've watched the Jays throughout the rough years and it wasn't until towards the end of the 09 season that my eyes went bright with excitement watching Jose break out and homer in like 7 of his last 9 games or whatever it was. I got excited for 2010 and don't think I've missed a game since he broke out. It's easy to say we have his replacement in JD, that's obvious from a production standpoint but the combination of Joey Bats leading the way in 2010 and then afterward the new logo, buzz, etc. completely revitalized this organization and made the team relevant again in this city. Since 2011 I'd say more ppl have been wearing Jays gear than Leafs and Bautista has a lot to do with that, it wasn't just because of the modern throwback logo.

 

So while he comes across as an egotistical douche most times, I can appreciate what he's done for this team more than any player in the past 20 years - even Halladay. That may sound a bit extreme but looking back I think he's done more for us than most give credit for.

 

I like Bautista. He's one of the franchises greats and I'd really like for him to finish his career with all the team records but that just doesn't look like it's in the franchise's best interest right now.

[glory]

The Cardinals lost Pujols and didn't miss a beat. That's what the Jays should be striving for. The moment you let past performance dictate future value is when you get into a lot of trouble. If Bautista was five years younger then it would be different but at age 36-40, I really don't care what he did from 29-35. It's going to be a whole different performance.

[CHRIS]

At this point I would just let him play out the season and go from there. Put the onus on him to put up another monster season in order to reap the benefits that he's looking for.

[xposbrad]

At this point I would just let him play out the season and go from there. Put the onus on him to put up another monster season in order to reap the benefits that he's looking for.

 

Exactly, if he drops in production, his value drops. I honestly don't see a big market for him next year. The only team Toronto will outbid is itself. If his asking price is over 20m, he is bringing his market down to 1-2 teams as a dh who would spend that. Toronto has to be smart about this because there are payroll limitations for this club. The heart says sign him, the brain says get him to agree to a trade or get the pick.

[Abomination]

A is probably true. Not sure about "freak" but that's semantics.

 

B has to be more about logic than empiricism. The information isn't there to test anything. It's not like we have accurate flexibility or body fat % information on anybody.

 

It's probably worth noting that the guys who continued to produce at advanced age (Ortiz, Manny, Thome, Bonds) all had high walk rates like Bautista does. Thome and V-Mart are a little younger still, so we'll have to see how they do in the next year or two. I suspect guys like Bautista and Choo will age relatively well with the bat as long as they can stay on the field physically.

[Jonn]

Bautista's tribute video is going to be so emotional.

[Dick_Pole]

Heard that Gov. Feel same. Have to detach the emotion from this one and think of the best business decision. Shapiro can't get caught taking too much risk with a 36 year old even though I'll never forget game 5 against Texas. (and he almost won us game 6 against KC if not for some bad luck and calls on Navvy and Revere).

 

Come on BigCecil, among others...I know you guys are around my age or older. So you should have been desensitized in the 1989-1990 era where the team said bye-bye to Moseby, Bell and Barfield and all they got back was an injury-prone young pitcher. Clancy and Whitt, expansion era guys were also dumped for "prospects". I was only 8 at the time so I'm not going to pretend I grew up watching them for years, but Bell was portrayed as this eras Bautista, and in many respects he was. I was sad to see my new hero go. But it barely took a year or two before I had about a dozen new players to cheer for.

 

If Shapiro and Atkins are competent, they will have casuals forgetting about Bautista pretty quick.

[BigCecil]

Come on BigCecil, among others...I know you guys are around my age or older. So you should have been desensitized in the 1989-1990 era where the team said bye-bye to Moseby, Bell and Barfield and all they got back was an injury-prone young pitcher. Clancy and Whitt, expansion era guys were also dumped for "prospects". I was only 8 at the time so I'm not going to pretend I grew up watching them for years, but Bell was portrayed as this eras Bautista, and in many respects he was. I was sad to see my new hero go. But it barely took a year or two before I had about a dozen new players to cheer for.

 

If Shapiro and Atkins are competent, they will have casuals forgetting about Bautista pretty quick.

 

Cant ya just let me have a good cry

 

Ya...I know. Its very true. We went through this with many players seeing them move on including Alomar and Delgado (and those others you mention)...many.

 

We didn't with VW...signed him...and then wished we didn't until AA dumped him on LAA.

[Sammy225]

Stupid LAA with their Hamiltons and Wells

[Laika]

Bautista looks hilariously like the guy from Aunty Donna

[AdamLindsMom]

Going to be an interesting year no matter what. Either they're in the thick of it at the deadline and they're buyers again or they're out of it and let the Bautista, E5, Dickey, Cecil, Storen fire sale begin. They could get a massive haul for that group.

[Dick_Pole]

Cant ya just let me have a good cry

 

Ya...I know. Its very true. We went through this with many players seeing them move on including Alomar and Delgado (and those others you mention)...many.

 

We didn't with VW...signed him...and then wished we didn't until AA dumped him on LAA.

 

I think another difference between then and now is the shitshow that the Expos turned into before they left. Every single star was traded...and ironically enough the only two times I remember them being buyers, Randy Johnson and the infamous Bartolo Colon haul went the other way.

 

When Ricciardi was shedding Delgado and other stars for also-rans and Mondesi, there was legit concern the Jays were going the way of the Expos. I think there is still remnants of that. The letting go of an aging star is automatically associated with the cheapness of ownership now. Labatt's and that era will always be missed.

 

EDIT: And that was probably a factor driving Godfrey to push Ricciardi to sign Wells at all costs. "We are not the Expos".

[Brownie19]

 

If Shapiro and Atkins are competent, they will have casuals forgetting about Bautista pretty quick.

 

IMO - AA already did this by acquiring Donaldson and Tulo...even Martin to some respect. Drafted Stro....heck I already kinda consider Jose and EE to be "old news".

[BigCecil]

IMO - AA already did this by acquiring Donaldson and Tulo...even Martin to some respect. Drafted Stro....heck I already kinda consider Jose and EE to be "old news".

 

Yup, for sure. But we can't kid ourselves. That's some serious middle of the order mashin' WAR to replace.

[RealAccountant]

In the 20 years that I have followed the Jays religiously I can't even them not being a top offensive team independent of the players involved

 

The stadium is a mashing ground. Someone else will take the middle order plate.

 

I say 4/100 and if he doesn't take it move on. No one will offer more

[z3r0s]

I don't extend Jose right now.

 

Let the guy play.

 

If he starts to decline... you either don't sign him or sign him for less than he wants coming off a great year

 

If he plays well and;

- We are losing. Trade him at the deadline

- We are winning. Offer him a QC and try to resign him for a deal that makes sense to you. Draft picks are being valued more and more so this should give us a leg up in negotiations. Worst comes to worst, you settle with the draft pick after a good season.

 

I think it makes zero sense to try and extend him right now.

[Stangstag]

I don't extend Jose right now.

 

Let the guy play.

 

If he starts to decline... you either don't sign him or sign him for less than he wants coming off a great year

 

If he plays well and;

- We are losing. Trade him at the deadline

- We are winning. Offer him a QC and try to resign him for a deal that makes sense to you. Draft picks are being valued more and more so this should give us a leg up in negotiations. Worst comes to worst, you settle with the draft pick after a good season.

 

I think it makes zero sense to try and extend him right now.

 

Exactly

[gbill2004]

I think Nelson Cruz is a decent comparible. Cruz got 4 years and $57 million on his last contract at age 34. I don't see Jose being worth much more. Four years at $80 million seems very fair to me for Bautista.

[ValiantJaysFan]

Shift focus and resign Edwin and Cecil or Storen for the same amount it would cost to sign Bautista.

 

Let Bautista play this year with a bug up his ass. Let another team overpay for his decline years.

[JosJos]

Bautista apprently want less than 5 years. 4 Years 25 each seem good to me.

[THANOS]

Bautista apprently want less than 5 years. 4 Years 25 each seem good to me.

 

Where did you read/hear this? We've all read 5-6 years.

[Jonn]

Where did you read/hear this? We've all read 5-6 years.

 

Making things up is fun sometimes

[Abomination]

I think Nelson Cruz is a decent comparible. Cruz got 4 years and $57 million on his last contract at age 34. I don't see Jose being worth much more. Four years at $80 million seems very fair to me for Bautista.

 

Bautista's track record leading up to the contract is a hell of a lot better, although he'll also be 2 years older.

[FrozenRopes]

Listening to the XM MLB channel today. They said JB wants 5/180. Some of which they said he wants compensation in his final year for providing a home town discount.

 

Crazy numbers if true

[Rajais Mitten]

Thought he didn't believe in home town discounts which means we never gave him one. What he signed for previously is his and his agents fault you can't come back to the team now and tell them, oh by the way you owe me some money for that discount.

[Jimcanuck]

Listening to the XM MLB channel today. They said JB wants 5/180. Some of which they said he wants compensation in his final year for providing a home town discount.

 

Crazy numbers if true

 

Held on to him too long, smart team would have moved him 2 years ago