Jose Bautista not willing to negotiate on extension with Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista told reporters at spring training that he is not willing to negotiate on a contract extension after naming his price to the team's front office.
Bautista, who will be a free agent after the 2016 season, added that he has not heard back from the team after presenting them with a dollar figure for a new contract two weeks ago.
“I don't believe in the whole budget and payroll. I don't believe in any of that stuff,” Bautista said. "I'm not going to sit here and try to bargain. I don't think this should be a negotiation. I think I've proven myself."
When asked about “hometown discounts,” Bautista remarked that they do not exist.
“In my eyes, I've given this organization a five-year hometown discount already,” he added while wearing a “Home is Toronto” t-shirt.
Bautista is coming off a year in which he hit 40 home runs with 114 RBIs and helped Toronto win the American League East and make its first postseason appearance since 1993. He is in the final season of a six-year deal worth $78 million that he signed before the 2011 season.
The Blue Jays acquired Bautista in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008. In his eight years with the team, Bautista has hit 243 home runs with 632 RBIs and a .264 batting average.
- Christopher Chavez
