Report: Blue Jays, Bautista's reps in active contract talks

The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista appear to be talking once again.

With the new year approaching, Bautista's representatives are engaged in active contract discussions with the Blue Jays, sources told FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

General manager Ross Atkins told MLB Network on Tuesday that the 36-year-old was still an alternative for the Blue Jays, after Bautista said he would be willing to accept a one-year deal to re-sign with them if it exceeded the $17.2-million qualifying offer he rejected in November.

"He is a proven force in the lineup. He's obviously still an alternative for us and we're glad that he is," Atkins said. "We'll do everything we can to improve our team and that is one avenue."

The six-time All-Star, who has hit 265 home runs with the club since joining them in 2008, had a down year last season amid injury issues, hitting .234/.366/.452 while posting his lowest OPS (.817) since 2009.

The Blue Jays have reportedly been on the hunt for an outfielder to add to their roster for most of the offseason, and have been linked to Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson of the New York Mets, Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and free agents Brandon Moss and Michael Saunders.

Re-signing Bautista wouldn't cost the team any draft pick compensation, which would be a huge plus.

Over the course of his 13-year career in the bigs, he owns a .255/.368/.493 slash line with 308 home runs and 862 RBIs.

He earned $14 million last season.