3 points from Ross Atkins' press conference about Bautista
On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays officially signed outfielder Jose Bautista to a one-year, $18-million contract with two options that could keep the popular slugger with the club until 2019.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins held a press conference Thursday to discuss the agreement, and addressed a number of topics surrounding the re-signing of one of the franchise's all-time great players.
Here are three talking points from Atkins' press conference:
Offseason negotiations
After a second consecutive trip to the American League Championship Series this past season, the Blue Jays will look different on Opening Day 2017 with the additions of Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce, along with the absence of Edwin Encarnacion, who departed via free agency for the Cleveland Indians. Throughout the offseason, the Blue Jays were rumored to have interest in a number of players - including free agent Dexter Fowler and Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen - aside from Bautista to fill their needs in the outfield, but ultimately circled back to the Dominican, which Atkins touched on.
"Bautista was a clear target for us at the beginning of the offseason," Atkins explained. "I don't know exactly how many deals he turned down and how much money he walked away from, but I would guess that he did."
Bautista and the Blue Jays ultimately agreed to a one-year, $18-million deal with a $17-million mutual option for 2018, and a $20-million vesting option in 2019. A deal that gives both sides flexibility in the future.
"Part of the creativity was Jose and (agent) Jay Alou's thought process on the mutual option, make it work for both teams," Atkins said. "If this winds up being a three-year deal, we'll both be elated."
The road ahead
Even with the departure of Encarnacion, the Blue Jays should field a competitive club in a tough AL East next season, and Bautista - who still posted a .817 OPS despite an injury-plagued 2016 - only makes them better.
Atkins spoke about what he expects from Bautista next year, which should include playing the bulk of his games in right field, although the 36-year-old has a "willingness to play multiple positions," including first base.
"I think it's more likely that he has the 2015 season than he has the 2016 season," Atkins said when asked what he expects out of the newly re-signed Bautista.
During 153 games in 2015, "Joey Bats" belted 40 home runs and drove in 114 runs, while posting a .913 OPS en route to his sixth consecutive All-Star appearance.
Blue Jays still have needs
After adding Bautista, the Blue Jays addressed one of their major needs of the offseason, but they may not be finished just yet. Atkins said a "clear" hole exists in their bullpen - which is minus left-hander Brett Cecil after he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals - and at backup catcher.
If the season began today, the Blue Jays project to use A.J. Jimenez, who has never played in the majors, as Russell Martin's backup, along with an inexperienced bullpen.
Projected bullpen
| PITCHER | G | IP | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roberto Osuna | 72 | 74 | 2.68 | 82 |
| Jason Grilli | 67 | 59 | 4.12 | 81 |
| Joe Biagini | 60 | 67.2 | 3.06 | 62 |
| Aaron Loup | 21 | 14.1 | 5.02 | 15 |
| Ryan Tepera | 20 | 18.1 | 2.95 | 18 |
| Mike Bolsinger | 6 | 27.2 | 6.83 | 25 |
| Glenn Sparkman* | 16 | 60.1 | 5.22 | 65 |
*minor-league stats
Atkins went on to say he will continue to scour the free-agent market and negotiate with clubs about trades, only making a deal if an upgrade is available. Atkins was close on a number of trades throughout the offseason, but nothing came to fruition.
"There are a lot of things that almost happened that still could," he said.
Toronto has been linked to free-agent left-handers Travis Wood and Jerry Blevins, and were interested in catchers Chris Iannetta and Bobby Wilson before they signed elsewhere.