Blue Jays pick up option on Jose Bautista, Dickey, Encarnacion
The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised the 2016 options of outfielder Jose Bautista, starting pitcher R.A. Dickey, and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion.
As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays will be bringing back three important members of their 2015 American League East Division champion roster. They exercised the 2016 options of outfielder Jose Bautista ($14,000,000), starting pitcher R.A. Dickey, ($12 million) and first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion ($10 million).
They also decided to decline the $3,000,000 option of infielder Maicer Izturis, opting for a $1,000,000 buyout. The Blue Jays payroll obligations are currently at $72,000,000, but keep in mind that they have multiple players up for arbitration and have to renew the contracts of their younger players.
Jose Bautista is arguably the Jays best player. The six-time All Star outfielder hit 40 home runs in 2015, the first time that he has done so since 2011 when he led the majors with 43 homers. Jose Bautista was one of Toronto’s most consistent hitters in the playoffs and hit arguably the most memorable postseason homer since Joe Carter’s walk-off home run in 1993. The outfielder turns 36 next October, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He had a .913 OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) during the 2015 season.
Due to the potential departures of David Price and Marcus Estrada and the likely retirement of Mark Buerhle, R.A. Dickey will likely find himself in the 2016 Blue Jays rotation. He had a 3.91 ERA this season while leading the Blue Jays with 214 innings pitched. The Blue Jays rotation will likely be young next year with Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez expected to be a part of it. Dickey should give the Jays a rubber arm who they can rely on to go six virtually every time he pitches.
Edwin Encarnacion is a bit of an unsung hero for the Jays. Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista tend to attract most of the attention (and rightfully so). Encarnacion is perfectly fine with that. The 11-year veteran hit 39 home runs in 2015, the second most in his career. He had an OPS of .929.
With Bautista, Encarnacion, and Dickey back, now the Blue Jays must decide whether or not to sign one or both of David Price and Marco Estrada. Estrada is expected to get a qualifying offer while Price is ineligible to get one since he was acquired at the trade deadline.