Report: Red Sox told Bautista they won't sign him

The Boston Red Sox would like to add another bat to their lineup on a short-term deal, but there's at least one free-agent slugger they won't be doing business with.

Jose Bautista's representatives have reportedly been informed by the Red Sox that they're out on signing him, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Cafardo adds that the Red Sox were Bautista's No. 1 preference, with the six-time All-Star seeking a two-year deal.

With an abundance of bats available through free agency, the market for Bautista has been slow to develop. The 36-year-old is coming off an injury-plagued year in which he hit .234/.366/.452 with 22 home runs and 24 doubles across 116 games.

A two-year deal is the type of contract the Red Sox are looking for, but they've been conscious of the $195-million luxury-tax threshold, and signing a player of Bautista's caliber would likely put them over. Also, with a number of sluggers still available, the Red Sox would most likely want to avoid giving up a draft pick to the Blue Jays (as compensation for signing Bautista) especially after trading top prospects Yoan Moncada, and Michael Kopech in their Chris Sale deal earlier Tuesday.