MLB Trade Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays could trade Jose Bautista this off-season?
By Hayden Kane
The Toronto Blue Jays looked like a feel-good story in the 2014 MLB season for much of the first half, holding onto first place atop the American League East for an extended period of time.
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With a 68-67 record overall at this point, they have long since given way to the Baltimore Orioles and are only hanging on the fringe of the American League wild card race (6.0 games back of the second spot).
The Blue Jays are going to be a tease once again in 2014. Could that create the urgency to do something bold this off-season to change the dynamics of the roster?
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe suggests that it could, and that the move under consideration would be just about as bold as it gets: they might consider trading slugging outfielder Jose Bautista.
"While there’s been speculation for a couple of years surrounding Bautista and a possible deal out of Toronto, this offseason might be when it happens. The Blue Jays need to do something dramatic to replenish their team and trading Bautista would bring back a good haul. There would be a few teams lined up to acquire a righthanded bat with power."
Bautista comes in at a $14 million cap hit in 2015, with a club option for the same amount in 2016 (according to Spotrac). That is not necessarily an oppressive figure, and considering the premium placed on right-handed power in the current MLB climate, the Blue Jays would presumably desire quite the haul to move Bautista.
If they made him available, however, they might just get that big trade offer.
Bautista is batting .284/.399/.517 with 28 home runs and 82 RBI this season.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided for all of the latest MLB news, rumors, transactions, and analysis as the 2014 season heads towards the playoff stretch.