Blue Jays fans, you can finally exhale.
Jose Bautista is in the fold long-term as the 2010 major league home run leader finally agreed to a five-year contract ($8 million in 2011, $14 million in each of the following four seasons, 2012-15, a club option for $14 million in 2016 and a million-dollar buyout after five seasons). Much hand wringing was going on amongst Canadian baseball fans as to whether the Blue Jays, after finally ridding themselves of Vernon Wells' contract in a trade with the Angels, should sign him long term. Should the club bog down the budget with another multi-year, eight-figure deal after finally having some financial flexibility, especially on a player who has really just had one great season in the major leagues? Alex Anthopoulos doesn't see it that way.
"The easy thing for me to do and the organization to do, was to do nothing...to say, it was just one year," said the Jays sophomore G.M. "But that's not what we believe...we believe in Jose Bautista as a person more than anything else. The ability speaks for itself...if we can't bet on him, we can't bet on anybody."
The Blue Jays and Bautista were staring down the barrel of an arbitration hearing set, originally, for last Monday, and then postponed until Friday in order for a multi-year deal to be reached. Bautista, through his representative Thornton "Bean" Stringfellow, had informed the team that if they went through the arbitration process, resulting in just a one year contract, that he would test the free agent waters after the 2011 season, his first chance as a professional to see what he would be worth on the open market. Now he won't have to worry about that until 2016 at the earliest.
Now, with the departure of Wells, Bautista becomes the new face of the franchise and all the inherent pressures that comes with being its highest paid player.
Thankfully, he's not afraid to take it all on.
"I welcome the challenge. I'm not one to back down from anything, and it seems like it's going to be really exciting," said the 30-year-old slugger. "If I can be a mentor to some...I'll try to lead by example. I'm not one of those guys who's going to act like a cheerleader...if I can help by just doing things the way (I know how), then hopefully that's the right way."
Bautista was also asked if he had a problem moving to third base after becoming one of the most feared right fielders to run on in 2010 after throwing out 12 runners (2nd most in MLB) trying to take the extra base.
"That is completely fine. Anyway that I can make this team better...I have said that I can be of more benefit out there (right field) on a regular basis, but if our line-up and our team composition makes our team better playing third, let that be it."
The accolades for Bautista were contagious Thursday as first-year manager John Farrell added that he was thrilled to have Bautista in the fold.
"I think we are all elated to have him here for a quite a while. I think the message that it sends to every player in that clubhouse is one that, right here, if you perform well...you'll be rewarded.
"This is a clearly a significant time, a significant event...this team is not built just for 2011, but also going forward. I think it's sends a strong statement throughout the industry...good players will be sought, good players will be pursued, and good players will be retained". Farrell also added, "It sends a strong signal to those players who might be added in the future."
The signing will also allow the Blue Jays - and its new manager - to start preparing for a new season without constant questions about whether the top offensive performer from a year ago, when the team came out of nowhere to win 85 games after many thought they would have trouble staying out of the basement, was staying or going after 2011. There is nothing to suggest Bautista won't embrace his new role as one of their leaders, both in the field and in the clubhouse, as well as a continuing positive influence on the club's young Latino players.
And for the fans who fret over and debate everything: It's one less thing for them to worry about.
