Veteran outfielder Jose Bautista appears on his way back to Toronto.
The Blue Jays have emerged as the front-runner to sign him, and he's said to be nearing a deal with the club, industry sources told MLB.com. There are several contract details still being negotiated and a physical pending before the deal is finalized. The club has not commented.
The possible return of Bautista would help fill a major void in Toronto's outfield. The Blue Jays have been looking for at least one outfielder, possibly two, and another middle-of-the-order bat. Bautista checks off everything on that list, following a lengthy period of negotiations with the ballclub.