Road back home: Reliving a roller-coaster 12 months for Bautista
Jose Bautista is back in blue.
The free-agent slugger reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with options to return to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, ending a long and stressful offseason for the 36-year-old.
Initially heralded as one of the top offensive talents heading into this winter's free-agent class, injury issues, draft-pick attachment, and perceived attitude problems severely limited Bautista's market before he eventually accepted the terms of Toronto's offer.
With Bautista back in Toronto, let's relive what has been a roller-coaster 12 months for the six-time All-Star:
Jan. 10, 2016: No extension talks for Bautista, Encarnacion
Only on the job for three months, the new front office regime of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins say they're taking time to get to know both Bautista and Encarnacion before potentially discussing any extension. While Encarnacion says he won't discuss a new deal when the season starts, Bautista doesn't put forth any such deadline.
Feb. 4, 2016: Bautista indicates desire to stay
Entering what could be his final season with the Blue Jays, Bautista tells reporters that it would be an "honor" to finish his career in Toronto, and that he loves the fans, city, and having the country behind the team.
Feb. 22, 2016: Contract demands laid out
Bautista makes a major play in his negotiations when he publicly states that he doesn't believe in giving the Blue Jays a hometown discount: "In my eyes I've given this organization a five-year hometown discount already."
Feb. 22, 2016: Denying $150M demand
Shortly after Bautista shares his opinions about discounts, it's reported that he asked the Blue Jays for a five-year, $150-million deal. Bautista, however, labels those demands as false.
May 14, 2016: Bautista plays 1,000th game with Blue Jays
Few will question Bautista's place in Blue Jays' history, and the slugger further cements his resume by playing in his 1,000th game with the club. He becomes just the 11th player in franchise history to reach the milestone: "It's a fun moment and hopefully not one of the last games that I have to play as a member of the team."
June 2, 2016: Eyes for the enemy?
With the Blue Jays in the middle of a fight for the division, rumors begin to circulate about both Bautista and Encarnacion envisioning the deep-pocketed Red Sox as a potential free-agent destination. Both players have achieved much success hitting at Fenway Park, and both could be options to replace the soon-to-be retired David Ortiz.
June 17 and Aug. 10, 2016: Injuries begin to mount
After missing just 16 games in the previous two seasons, Bautista hits the disabled list on two separate occasions in 2016. A toe injury suffered when colliding with the outfield wall cost him more than a month, while a knee sprain suffered less than three weeks after his return costs him another several weeks.
Sept. 9, 2016: Shapiro concedes Bautista, Edwin will hit free agency
With less than a month to go in the regular season, Shapiro admits that there's been no substantive contract talks and that his two longest-tenured bats will likely hit the open market at the end of the season.
Oct. 19, 2016: So long Toronto?
Minutes after the Blue Jays were knocked out of the ALCS by the Indians, Bautista is mum on his future with the club while soaking in the loss in the locker room. "I don't think it's the right time to be talking about that. ... I don't really feel like I'm in the proper state of mind to be talking about that. I know it's a possibility, but we'll see what happens."
Nov. 14, 2016: Rejects qualifying offer
With hopes of landing a lucrative long-term contract, Bautista rejects the one-year, $17.2-million qualifying offer extended by the Blue Jays, tying him to draft-pick compensation. Following a down season, there was talk that Bautista may take the qualifying offer in hopes of rebuilding his value, but he ultimately decides to test the market.
Dec. 6, 2016: No love from Boston
One of the projected major suitors for Bautista turns him away, as the Red Sox inform Bautista's representatives that the club would not be making an offer. Boston was said to be one of Bautista's top preferences, and he was even willing to accept a two-year deal, but the Red Sox did not have the available funds as they try to get under the luxury-tax threshold.
Dec. 7, 2016: Even less love from Baltimore
In what will go down in Baltimore as arguably a more questionable decision than Buck Showalter not using Zach Britton in the AL wild-card game, Orioles GM Dan Duquette says that his club isn't interest in signing Bautista because their fans don't like him. Duquette also goes on to label the slugger as a villain in Baltimore.
Dec. 13, 2016: Blue Jays not willing to up the ante
Despite the need for an outfielder, the Blue Jays reportedly are unwilling to make Bautista an offer worth more than the one-year, $17.2-million qualifying offer that he declined in November. The two sides look less and less likely to be reunited.
Dec. 20, 2016: Bautista doubles down on Toronto
Citing an extreme desire to remain north of the border, Bautista reportedly turns down at least one offer from an unknown club because he wants to return to the Blue Jays. It's believed the offer was credible and solid, but wasn't enough to deter him from holding out for Toronto.
Dec. 22, 2016: Edwin bolts for Cleveland
Bautista watches on as Encarnacion - his teammate in Toronto since 2009 - agrees to a three-year, $60-million deal with the Indians. The pair combined to hit 504 home runs during their time with the Blue Jays, leading the club to a division title in 2015 and two trips to the ALCS.
Dec. 27, 2016: Blue Jays leave the door open a crack
Throughout negations, the Blue Jays front office never officially ruled out a possible reunion with Bautista. Atkins notes that the six-time All-Star remains an alternative for the club. Bautista, meanwhile, is said to be willing to accept a one-year deal, though it needs to be worth more than the $17.2-million qualifying offer he turned down.
Jan. 11, 2017: A reunion brewing
With outfield options on the free-agent market dwindling, the Blue Jays reportedly place Bautista back atop their wish list. It's believed that Bautista is among the club's first choices alongside the likes of free agents Brandon Moss, Michael Saunders, and Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson.
Jan. 14, 2017: You can have one, but not both
After already landing one Blue Jays icon, the Indians are reportedly expressing interest in Bautista. Cleveland has remained in touch with his representatives and could consider a move if his price were to drop. Already a favorite in the AL, adding Bautista would make the Indians among the league's most elite offenses.
Jan. 17, 2017: The Return
A day most Blue Jays fans never thought they'd see, Bautista and the club reportedly agree to a one-year deal with options that could keep the slugger in Toronto through 2019. Bautista will have the opportunity to further add to his legacy as one of the best players in club history. He enters the 2017 season second in home runs, fifth in RBIs, and ninth in hits and games played.