Bautista’s expected news
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Blue Jays right-fielder Jose Bautista is expected to reject his $17.2 million qualifying offer. This is the furthest thing from surprising as the 36-year-old looks to maximize his value on a multi-year deal, but it does bring to light an important part of Toronto’s free agent equation.
Allowing Bautista to walk and sign elsewhere under a declined qualifying offer nets the Blue Jays a valuable draft pick. With the new regime under Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro working to rebuild Toronto’s quietly-improving farm system, this is an important facet to consider.