Blue Jays extend qualifying offers to Bautista, Encarnacion

Two faces of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise have received qualifying offers ahead of Monday's deadline.

The Blue Jays have offered impending free agents Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion qualifying offers of one-year, $17.2-million, according to the club announced Monday. It was all but a guarantee the team would go this route, and it is still expected that both players will reject the offer, leading to them testing the free-agent market.

Each player to receive a qualifying offer have until Nov. 14 to either accept or decline it. If Bautista or Encarnacion sign with another team, the Blue Jays will receive draft pick compensation for both players.

It's being reported that Encarnacion is seeking a five-year, $125-million deal, with around 10 or 11 teams expressing significant interest in pursuing him.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays decided not to offer Michael Saunders a qualifying offer, and he will immediately become a free agent. The team can still work out a contract with Saunders if they so choose.