Blue Jays' Jose Bautista: Close to finalizing deal with Toronto

Bautista is close to finalizing a two-year deal with the Blue Jays worth close to $40 million, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Analysis:

Though it appeared quite unlikely earlier in the offseason that Bautista would be re-signed by the Jays, the 36-year-old perhaps found a cooler market than expected in free agency, so he's apparently warmed up to the idea of returning to Toronto. Bautista struggled to a .234/.366/.452 batting line during an injury-plagued 2016, but even at his advanced age, he still boasts the power and plate discipline to be a pillar in the middle of the Blue Jays' lineup. After playing in the corner outfield through much of his career, however, Bautista could end up transitioning to a first base or DH role, assuming the deal with the Blue Jays is eventually consummated.