Bautista hoping WC game won't be his last with Blue Jays

Though it's likely the last thing on his mind heading into the American League wild-card game, Jose Bautista could be making his final appearance with the Toronto Blue Jays when he takes the field against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre

"Let's not make it the last game," Bautista told reporters when asked about it potentially being his final day in Toronto. "How 'bout that?"

An impending free agent at the end of the season, Bautista has spent the last nine seasons in Toronto, emerging as one of the most celebrated players in the organization's history.

The six-time All-Star headlines a free-agent class that also features teammate Edwin Encarnacion, and despite a down season, all signs point to the 35-year-old inking a highly lucrative, multi-year deal. He said publicly in spring training that he was unwilling to accept a hometown discount and it was reported that he was seeking a five-year, $150-million deal, though Bautista would later say that demand was untrue.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said last month that he expects Bautista and Encarnacion to hit free agency, but didn't rule out the club trying to re-sign them.

"I still believe if they’re guys that want to be here and we still think that they can fit and be part of a championship team, not just collecting talent but a championship team, we'll find a way to keep them here," Shapiro said in September.

Bautista currently ranks second in franchise history in home runs, third in OPS, fifth in RBIs, and ninth in games played.