Anthopoulos: Bautista betting on himself, had more lucrative offer elsewhere

Alex Anthopoulos is taking a chance on Jose Bautista once again.

Seven years after Anthopoulos signed Bautista to a five-year, $65-million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, the two connected again Wednesday, with the slugger agreeing to a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves to play third base.

"Good opportunity for us," Anthopoulos said, according to Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "A lot of upside, clearly. Seen him play a lot of third base in his career. We had an MVP candidate in (Josh) Donaldson there (at third in Toronto). Didn't have the year he's capable of last year, but I know there's certain things you know you're going to get with Jose. He's going to be in tremendous shape. He's going to work hard, study hard, and he comes to win and he plays to win. So, we're going to take a look, see how he is."

Bautista is coming off a tough season and went unsigned through the winter. It was reported at numerous times during the offseason that he was discussing a deal with different clubs and Anthopoulos believes the six-time All-Star turned down a more lucrative offer elsewhere in order to sign with Atlanta.

"In taking this deal, he’s made the decision to bet on himself," Anthopoulos said. "You don't bet against this guy.

"I think he had an opportunity to go somewhere else (which) would've been higher base salary, would've been incentives that would've taken him significantly north of where he is with us. I think, to Jose's credit, it's not about the money for him, but about the best fit for him, what the best opportunity for him was."

Anthopoulos said there were talks between the two sides in winter but nothing came close. Bautista reached out to him Friday and the two began discussing a deal.

Bautista is now slated to join the Braves in extended spring training.