Jul 5, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) and right fielder Jose Bautista (19) wait to bat from the on-deck circle against the Kansas City Royals at the Rogers Centre. The Royals beat the Blue Jays 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

As most of you already know, the Jays have locked up Edwin Encarnacion, a.k.a. El Toro, for the next 3, possibly 4, years. The contract breaks down as follows: $8 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014. $10 million in 2015, and a club option for 2016 worth $10 million. Edwin stated that he loves Canada, loves the Jays and its fan base, and wanted to keep playing with his best friend, Jose Bautista. Sure enough, Jose Bautista’s recently signed deal also includes a club option for 2016 (worth $14 million). Coincidence? I hardly think so, and here’s why it makes things extra interesting.

The Jays have just lined up most contracts they have extended in recent years to end in 2016. Ricky Romero? 2016. Jose Bautista? 2016. Adam Lind? 2016. Edwin Encarnacion? 2016. Ok, Yunel Escobar and Brandon Morrow only got theirs to 2015, but that’s still within a very similar window. The point? Well, if you read the tea leaves, and in this case they’re made of millions of dollars, they indicate that the Jays are set to invest in the next 3 years as if they really do expect to win. (more…)

It is amazing to me how many people I have seen write Rasmus off after his poor 2011 season. Obsessed with his ugly triple slash line (.225/.298/.391), rumours about daddy issues and squabbles with his former manager, much of the Blue Jay online community seems to miss how special Rasmus could be.

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Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

There’s nothing wrong with Bautista doing so, as many players have not wanted to negotiate a contract during the season in order to prevent any kind of distraction on the field, and it’s simply a negotiation strategy by Bautista and his agent. Bautista put up monster numbers this past season, and he wants to get paid for them, now. You can’t blame him for that.

“My desire is to play in Toronto long term but, after the hearing, or during the season, I have come to the conclusion that it’s probably not the best thing for me to be negotiating any type of deal,” he said. “I want to focus on the game and trying to win ballgames.

Bautista’s decision yesterday effectively erases the idea of the Jays being able to wait and see how he swings the bat in the first few months of the season before opting to sign him to a long-term contract.

There are now simply two scenarios regarding Bautista’s intriguing contract situation that can take place. (more…)

John Lott (National Post) – Hamilton, Cano, Bautista, Cabrera, Crawford, Konerko, Longoria, Beltre, Young, Mauer

Shi Davidi (Canadian Press) – Bautista, Cabrera, Cano, Hamilton, Longoria, Mauer, Konerko, Beltre, Crawford, Young (more…)

Since its inception in 1999, the Hank Aaron Award has been given to the player who has demonstrated the top offensive performance in his league. What makes the award special though, is that it is voted by the fans and, as a first time addition this year, by Hall of Fame players. The list of Hall of Famers included Aaron himself, and group of representatives who he personally selected.

The Hank Aaron award has had some notable winners over its 12 year history including Carlos Delgado, Todd Helton, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Prince Fielder, and Albert Pujols. While it’s exciting Jose Bautista will now be added to this list, what makes this nomination particularly intriguing though is that he beat out the most talked about AL MVP candidates: batting champion Josh Hamilton of the Rangers (.359/.411/.633, 32hr, 100rbi), and RBI leader Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (.328/.420/.622, 38hr, 126rbi). (more…)