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Report: Orioles not in on Bautista because their fans 'don't like him'

Robert Laberge / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Honesty is the best policy.

The Baltimore Orioles honored their die-hard supporters during free agency, telling Jose Bautista the reason the team can't pursue a deal with the 36-year-old is because their fans simply don't like him, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Other than fans loathing him, Heyman notes the Orioles told Bautista's camp that money and the 36-year-old being tied to draft pick compensation were also reasons for the lack of interest.

There was a time when Bautista donned the black and orange, however brief as it was, playing 16 games with the club in 2004. It wasn't until he emerged as a star with the Blue Jays in 2010 did the hatred begin, going back to several memorable run ins with Orioles' players including, but not limited to, Darren O'Day and Adam Jones.

The market for Bautista has heated up in the past 24 hours. The Blue Jays were one of the few teams to schedule a meeting with the fan favorite, as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians.

Blue Jays fans can only hope a deal materializes so Bautista can return to Toronto and get back at the fans that despise him so much.

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