Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista already shot down the report that he requested a five-year, $150-million deal in order to re-sign, and believes he knows the source of the leak.
Speaking with Hall of Fame baseball columnist Peter Gammons, Bautista said he thinks his contract demands were leaked by team owner Rogers Communications to make him appear greedy.
He stated last month that he doesn't believe in hometown discounts, and would not negotiate after handing the front office the terms of the only offer he's willing to discuss. When speaking to reporters that day, Bautista also offered up his opinion regarding Rogers Communications.
"In a publicly-traded company, everybody can track their performance fairly easy. It's not a secret. It's out in the public," Bautista said. "Stock prices are monitored very closely by the whole financial world, and I think there is a direct correlation with the success of their earnings per share after we start experiencing success.
"Are they going to put it out in the media and say because of the Jays, we made all this money? No. But everybody can read between the lines."
Bautista, who will be 36 to start next season, told Gammons that despite his age, he is seeking a six-year deal, not the five that was originally reported. He credits his work ethic and discipline in taking care of his body for justification of a long-term deal.
"It has been suggested that when I told the Blue Jays what it would take for me to sign an extension and pass up free agency (next November)," Bautista said, "it was because I absolutely believe that I will perform at my expected level past the age of 40."
