Report: Indians have stayed in touch with Bautista

Toronto Blue Jays fans might want to look away.

A reunion with former teammate Edwin Encarnacion might be in the cards for free-agent outfielder Jose Bautista, as the Cleveland Indians have remained in touch with a number of free agents, including the 36-year-old slugger, major-league sources have told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Rosenthal notes the Indians front office would consider Bautista if the veteran were to drop his price, which was last believed to be close in annual salary to the $17.2-million qualifying offer he declined earlier in the offseason.

The Indians shocked the baseball world when the typically low-budget organization went out and signed Encarnacion to a three-year, $60-million deal - significantly less than what he was initially anticipated to sign for as a free agent. With that signing, Cleveland sacrificed a draft pick (25th overall) due to qualifying-offer regulations. If the Indians do in fact sign Bautista, the team would give up the 64th overall selection, and the Blue Jays would own both of Cleveland's early draft picks.

Bautista is currently one of the best remaining free agents, and him signing in Cleveland would reunite him with Encarnacion whom he played with for seven years in Toronto. The Blue Jays have remained in the mix for the six-time All-Star and continue to be in touch with his representatives, although no deal appears imminent.