Outfielder Jose Bautista is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays after agreeing to a one-year contract Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney, confirming multiple reports.
The contract, which includes a mutual option for the 2018 season, will pay Bautista more than $17.2 million in 2017, FanRag Sports reported.
Bautista, 36, rejected Toronto's one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer in November, becoming a free agent after spending the past 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.