Nationals have inquired about Bautista

[Angrioter]

Report: Nationals have inquired about Bautista

 

The Washington Nationals' primary focus is on the bullpen heading into the non-waiver trade deadline, though general manager Mike Rizzo appears to be eyeing some outfield offense as well.

 

Rizzo has reportedly inquired about Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, sources told Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post, though Svrluga acknowledges that a trade for the six-time All-Star seems unlikely.

 

Bautista has spent the past nine seasons in Toronto and owns 10-and-5 rights which allows him to block any trade. The 35-year-old is a key piece to the Blue Jays' lineup but is a free agent at the end of the season. If Toronto's front office had any motivation to move Bautista, it would be to seek some return, rather than seeing him potentially walk this winter while receiving only a compensation draft pick for signing elsewhere.

 

It was reported this spring that Bautista is seeking a deal in the range of $150 million over five years, though a down season may have diminished some of his value. He's hitting .227/.361/.446 with 12 home runs and 15 doubles in 67 games and returned from a month-long trip to the disabled list Monday with turf toe.

 

Without the luxury of the designated hitter, the Nationals would have to get creative in how they would potentially fit Bautista into the lineup. They could slide Bryce Harper to center - a position he played in 13 games last season - in order to accommodate Bautista, whose defense limitations make him almost exclusively a right fielder. Moving Harper, however, also seems unlikely.

 

Rizzo and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins have already consummated one deal with one another. They swapped outfielder Ben Revere for reliever Drew Storen in January.

 

The Nationals entered Wednesday with a four-game lead in the National Leauge East despite their outfielders ranking 13th in home runs, 21st in slugging, and 28th in average this season.

[Angrioter]

Reynaldo Lopez and Trea Turner

[BTS]

He won't be traded, so it doesn't matter.

[GreekFatAss]

Give me a pair of decent prospects and you got yourself a deal. They have a pretty good farm system.

[fatcowxlive]

This is interesting. I wonder if they are weighing him at his old stats or this season stats. We might not get mych from him lol. At this point I would hold him, we're going all in anyways and we need more offence than we're getting

[Angrioter]

He won't be traded, so it doesn't matter.

 

Are you sure?

Jays FO is better this year. Our offensive is great, and we need arms

[fatcowxlive]

He won't be traded, so it doesn't matter.

 

Basically. Flags fly forever people and this quite possibly could be the best season for us to get a ring for the next 2 seasons at least. Go hard or go home

[BTS]

Are you sure?

Jays FO is better this year. Our offensive is great, and we need arms

 

Yes. Trading your franchise player in the middle of a playoffs run would be insane.

[Statman]

If the FO is afraid to hurt Bautista's feelings by saying BJ is playing RF everyday I don't think they are going to say to him " we want to trade you, do you want accept this trade?"

[fatcowxlive]

Are you sure?

Jays FO is better this year. Our offensive is great, and we need arms

 

You got it backwards bro, our pitching is better than our batting. Don't tell me you're suggesting Bautista for relievers

[reedjohnsonfan]

This is interesting. I wonder if they are weighing him at his old stats or this season stats. We might not get mych from him lol. At this point I would hold him, we're going all in anyways and we need more offence than we're getting

 

I'm sure they have a pretty good analysis as to what kind of player they can expect this year and potentially moving forward.

[King]

You got it backwards bro, our pitching is better than our batting. Don't tell me you're suggesting Bautista for relievers

 

Derp

[GreekFatAss]

Are you sure?

Jays FO is better this year. Our offensive is great, and we need arms

 

The Nationals farm system is loaded with arms too.

[G-Snarls]

This won't happen

[reedjohnsonfan]

Are you sure?

Jays FO is better this year. Our offensive is great, and we need arms

 

Sorry but trading Bautista would be one of, if not the stupidest thing the franchise has ever done. Not gonna happen.

[fatcowxlive]

Derp

 

Second best starters fWAR in the AL!

[GreekFatAss]

Sorry but trading Bautista would be one of, if not the stupidest thing the franchise has ever done. Not gonna happen.

 

Trading a declining and impending free agent who just happens to be a fan favorite and a really good player for a decent return is not the stupidest thing the franchise could do. Trading a star entering his prime for spare parts (Donaldson from Oakland) is the dumbest thing we could do.

[Angrioter]

Yes. Trading your franchise player in the middle of a playoffs run would be insane.

 

Alex traded Lawrie for a 3B with awful hair cut. Jays will lose Jose for nothing in couple of months

[fatcowxlive]

Alex traded Lawrie for a 3B with awful hair cut. Jays will lose Jose for nothing in couple of months

 

Good riddance lol Lawrie was a piece of s***, one of the issues in the dugout

[Daniel Labude]

If we could get Giolito or Turner...it should be a no brainer. But it really doesn't matter because I doubt we even consider it seriously

[Pendleton]

I really don't see JB being traded. For the sake of conversation, Victor Robles would be a great target in this scenario.

[G-Snarls]

Trading a declining and impending free agent who just happens to be a fan favorite and a really good player for a decent return is not the stupidest thing the franchise could do. Trading a star entering his prime for spare parts (Donaldson from Oakland) is the dumbest thing we could do.

 

Off season trades and second half of season playoff race trades are not the same thing

[jays4life19]

#WhatwouldTodddo?

[fireballW]

Doesnt he have a no trade? Why would he accept a trade when we know his loyalty lies mostly with himself only. Toronto is a great hitters park and if he wins with Toronto it will make him look the best.

[BTS]

Doesnt he have a no trade? Why would he accept a trade when we know his loyalty lies mostly with himself only. Toronto is a great hitters park and if he wins with Toronto it will make him look the best.

 

Because it earns him more money in free agency.

[gbill2004]

Jays don't need Bautista. I'd trade him.

[5minutesforframing]

Yes. Trading your franchise player in the middle of a playoffs run would be insane.

 

No one suggested trading Donaldson...

[gbill2004]

no one suggested trading donaldson...

boom!

[5minutesforframing]

boom!

 

Shush it child.

[Jonn]

The only way I see him getting dealt is if something happened in the clubhouse. I'm purely speculating but I have a feeling that may have happened. Perhaps he didn't take too kindly of being told he would DH a lot down the strech. The fact that he didn't go to First Base the other night was extremely bizarre. Gibbons excuse post game didn't really add up. Suggesting he didn't want to risk an injury.

 

I love Bautista but if you can get more than just a compensation pick value in return you look at it. That doesn't take us out of the conversation for another bat either. Someone like Beltran who might be more willing to DH.

 

I don't think it's going too happen but things like this usually don't come out unless there is smoke. Edwin is probably the one they would prefer to keep long term. Makes sense. No ego. Can sign for cheaper, and is younger.