Jose Bautista, right fielder, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista shouldn’t have to prove anything. He’s a 36-year old five-time All-Star whose OPS was .817 last season. Bautista should be having a relaxed twilight to his career, providing what production he has left in the middle of a stacked Blue Jays lineup.
The problem is that about a year ago, Bautista reportedly demanded a five-year, $150 million extension, which is ridiculous for a 35-year old — Bautista’s age at the time. That demand, along with good-but-diminished production, caused the free agent market to stay away from Bautista, who had to come back to Toronto, hat-in-hand, and sign a one-year deal for $18.5 million.
No level of production will give Bautista the contract he wanted, despite an impending return to free agency if either he or Toronto exercises a mutual option. But a strong year would at least vindicate the aging slugger.
If Bautista is still capable of the 40 home run, 5.1 WAR season he had in 2015, that would at least guarantee him another $17 million in 2018 if neither side opts out of the deal. The right level of production could even result in a $20 million vested option for 2019. With that amount of money and pride on the line, Bautista should be motivated to prove something this year.