Report: Orioles have been in contact with Bautista's representatives

All that talk of the Baltimore Orioles not being interested in Jose Bautista might have been nothing more than a ploy.

Despite bold statements made by Orioles executive Dan Duquette at the Winter Meetings where he said the team wouldn't offer Bautista a contract because fans hated him, the team has reportedly been in contact with the 36-year-old's camp, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The comments created a stir at the time because Duquette didn't hold back, later referring to Bautista as a villain due to the Orioles' history with the slugger during his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It remains to be seen how serious the Orioles' interest is, but even with a history of bad blood between the two parties, the fit is there. The club has been active in its search for an outfielder to replace Mark Trumbo, and could also use a designated hitter, a spot in the lineup Bautista could excel in.

The veteran outfielder's market has slowly begun to heat up in recent days, as the Cleveland Indians are another team staying in touch with Bautista, joining his former team, the Blue Jays, who continue to talk to the six-time All-Star.