The Blue Jays and Jose Bautista are close to a deal for the free-agent slugger to stay with Toronto, according to multiple reports.
MLB.com was first to report that the Blue Jays are the front-runner to sign Bautista and that the sides are near a contract. The terms of the deal are not clear, according to reports.
Bautista, 36, rejected Toronto's one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer in November, becoming a free agent after spending the last eight-plus seasons with the Blue Jays.
Despite being a six-time All-Star and the face of the Blue Jays' franchise, Bautista reportedly has not received any lucrative contract offers in free agency, leading to widespread speculation that he might be willing to accept a short-term deal.