The Braves have signed Jose Bautista to a minor league deal. He will report to extended spring training and attempt to play 3rd base, according to the club.
Bautista, 37, has not played 3B regularly since 2011. He was primarily an outfielder and DH with Toronto over the past eight seasons. Bautista hit just .203/.308/.366 (80 wRC+) across 157 games last year with a -0.5 WAR. He posted a 122 wRC+ in 2016.
Bautista and Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos have a long-standing relationship dating back to their time in Toronto. Bautista had loosely been linked to Atlanta throughout the offseason but it never seemed like the two sides were close.