Report: Blue Jays considering options beyond Encarnacion, Bautista

The Toronto Blue Jays aren't putting all their eggs in one basket.

While it would be nice to resign sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he hasn't shied away from strongly considering other options, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Atkins said both players will exhaust every possible scenario in free agency, and he doesn't blame them.

"Edwin’s earned the right to do that and we certainly respect and understand why," Atkins said. “We’ll do everything we can to build the best possible team and hope he can be a part of it, but we have to build the best possible team.

"We have to consider all alternatives, he will certainly be one of them, as will the other free agents, Jose as well," he added. "We’re excited about the discussions we’re having, and we’ll continue working toward having those guys return.”

Encarnacion notched career highs with 42 home runs and 127 RBIs in 2016, while proving to be durable, appearing in 160 regular season games. So it comes as no surprise that he's garnering heavy interest from a number of deep-pocketed organizations.

One of the biggest factors for Atkins if Encarnacion, Bautista, and Michael Saunders walk away, is home run totals will be down. The trio combined for 88 dingers last season, and it's difficult to imagine other free agents that could match that mark.

Still, Atkins believes that with improved pitching, defense, and run production, Toronto will find ways to win ballgames.

“If we can do all three of those things, we’re going to be in a good situation and to me it’s not dependent on home runs," he said. "Having said that, I’d be perfectly comfortable if that’s how we built our team.”