Report: Bautista back on top of Blue Jays' priority list

When the offseason began, no one could have predicted outfielder Jose Bautista would still be available on the free-agent market in January, but that's precisely what is happening, which could mean his eventual return to the team he's made his home for the past nine seasons.

Bautista is back on top of a Toronto Blue Jays' list of first-choice options among their preferred players, which also includes Brandon Moss, Michael Saunders, Jay Bruce, and Curtis Granderson, according to sources of TSN's Steve Phillips.

One of Phillips' sources also told him the Blue Jays feel confident they will land one of their preferred options.

Bautista rejected a $17.2-million qualifying offer from Toronto in November, but had drawn minimal interest on the open market, until recently as he's been linked to the Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.

He's been an alternate plan for the Blue Jays since the end of December, according to general manager Ross Atkins, and the two sides have reportedly had active discussions about a new contract.

Toronto has already lost slugger Edwin Encarnacion to the Cleveland Indians in free agency, but have added designated hitter Kendrys Morales and utility player Steve Pearce to their lineup.

Bautista is a popular player in the Great White North after belting 265 home runs in a Toronto uniform, which included the "Batflip heard 'round the world" in the 2015 postseason.

The 36-year-old produced his lowest OPS since 2009, missing time with injuries, but still owns a .910 career OPS in a Blue Jays uniform.

Over the course of his 13-year career, Bautista has slashed .255/.368/.493 with 308 home runs and 862 RBIs.

The Dominican earned $14 million in 2016, the last year of a five-year, $64-million extension he signed before the beginning of the 2011 season.