Inbox: Could Blue Jays sign Bautista to 1-year deal?

The Blue Jays have the money and roster space to re-sign Jose Bautista. Why not bring him back on a one-year deal? We need his bat! — Tim C., Toronto

Bautista would have to be open to that idea, and there have been no indications he’s willing to entertain a one-year deal. As previously reported here, Toronto never went beyond the one-year qualifying offer worth $17.2 million. Yes, the Jays and Bautista’s representatives talked at the Winter Meetings, but no progress was made and it appears as though each side is moving on.

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The representatives for Bautista remain confident he will eventually secure a multiyear deal. That doesn’t look promising at the moment, but Bautista’s situation isn’t exactly unique, and with a lot of free agents still available, it’s possible the market has just been slow to develop. If Bautista has to wait until next month, then that’s what he’ll do.

Despite all of this, Bautista’s return can’t be 100 percent ruled out. Draft-pick compensation is scaring away some teams, and if that multiyear deal doesn’t surface before Spring Training, Bautista may have no choice but to circle back. Even so, odds are with that type of talented bat, a team is going to make a play, and it won’t be the Blue Jays.

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Do you think [Orioles GM] Dan Duquette’s comments hurt Bautista’s value?  — Ken D., Windsor, Ontario

Duquette’s comments caused quite a stir, but did anything he said really come as a surprise? He called Bautista a villain and suggested that signing him would be a tough sell to the Orioles’ fan base, and there might be some truth in that. Bautista has had multiple clashes with Baltimore over the years and has never received a warm reception at Camden Yards. But then again, neither has Josh Donaldson, and if he were a free agent right now, I doubt Duquette would be saying the same thing.

The reality is that this likely doesn’t have anything to do with Baltimore’s fan base. Bautista might not be liked there, but if he went to the Orioles and played well, all would be forgiven. The deeper issue stems from Bautista’s relationship with Baltimore’s coaching staff. Manager Buck Showalter, who wields a lot of power, has gotten into several verbal spats with Bautista, and has made no secret of his feelings about him. These two were not going to work together any time …

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