Jose Bautista knows MLB teams often view players as assets, and he doesn’t shy away from that way of thinking. In fact, he can envision scenarios where he provides the Toronto Blue Jays franchise with value for a long time.
“I’m also in a unique position where I truly believe that’s not going to stop when I take the uniform off,” Bautista told Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci. “I see what happens with [retired Blue Jays] Joe Carter, Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells and Robbie Alomar.”
Bautista suggested he could make an impact on the Blue Jays even after his playing days end.
“I don’t mean to sound like I’m bragging, but I don’t think I’m in a different position,” Bautista said. “I’m there in all the offensive record categories for the team, and I like to think I’m one of those players who’s not just intellectually but also baseball savvy and can bring something to the table post-career. Having all those things in perspective, I just don’t see how our organization would not see me as an attractive piece.”
Entering play Wednesday, Bautista ranks among the all-time franchise leaders in many offensive categories. He ranks 11th in hits with 929, fifth in RBI with 669 and second in home runs with 254.
Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, Bautista has gone on record saying he be “stupid to leave” Toronto, so it’s clear he’s open to staying with the Blue Jays beyond 2016. The organization will have a tough decision to make given that Bautista turns 36 in October yet remains one of MLB’s top power hitters.
