Bautista not ready to retire: 'I don't think that's necessary right now'

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after lining out in the second inning during MLB game action against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Although he couldn't find a major-league job in 2019, free-agent slugger Jose Bautista isn't ready to hang up the cleats just yet.

"I don’t think that’s necessary right now," Bautista said in a Spanish interview with MLB.com's Nathalie Alonso. "I haven’t given it much thought. I haven't considered it yet."

The six-time All-Star admitted free agency isn't ideal for older players.

"That’s why you didn’t see me on the field, in spring training, or during the regular season," 39-year-old said. "The market has changed a lot, especially for guys my age."

The Toronto Blue Jays declined Bautista's 2018 option in 2017 after a stellar 10-year run that saw him hit 288 home runs with an .878 OPS in 1,235 contests. He authored a pedestrian .203/.348/.378 slash line with 13 homers while playing for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets in 2018.

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