Fansided

Jose Bautista absent from 2016 Blue Jays preview cover

By Daniel George

Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the 8th inning in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the 8th inning in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jose Bautista, the man responsible for a Top 3 all-time Blue Jays playoff home run, is noticeably absent from the Sportsnet Magazine season preview.

One of the biggest talking points as the Toronto Blue Jays spring training began was the contract situation surrounding Jose Bautista. It had been reported that he was seeking a $150 million contract, while others suggested it may be even more money. Bautista’s comments on the lack of giving a hometown discount may have rubbed ownership, Rogers, the wrong way, as their television and print magazine wing, Sportsnet, is set to feature a 2016 Blue Jays preview magazine without their All-Star outfield slugger.

The magazine, which is set to hit newsstands across Canada in the coming days, does mention a one-on-one interview with Jose Bautista. However, it is listed after the cover athletes for the April 2016 issue, a group that includes RHP Marcus Stroman, reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson and recent acquisition Troy Tulowitzki. The magazine will also feature interviews with Marco Estrada, Russell Martin, Edwin Encarnacion, Aaron Sanchez, Kevin Pillar and Drew Storen.

How you view the lack of Jose Bautista on such a prominent cover of a Rogers-owned media property comes down to your appreciation for Bautista the player versus Bautista the athlete. Many people in Toronto, whether it be local call-in radio hosts, listeners or fans of the Toronto Blue Jays, view Bautista’s standoffishness as a slight to the team. In their view, Bautista taking the opportunity to grandstand for a bigger contract has made the team’s spring training all about him, and seeking $150+ million into his 40s shows that it’s time for him to go.

For others, it’s about Jose Bautista versus ownership at Rogers. Without him on the team, you wouldn’t have a solid core to build around and form the 2015 playoff squad that the Blue Jays finally became after owning the longest playoff absence streak in the majors. At 5 years/$65 million and earning just $14 million for this and the past four years, Bautista has provided perhaps the greatest overall value in terms of offensive and defensive output. Taking fewer career ABs and involving himself with yoga for conditioning purposes, there is probably no historical player comparable to what he is capable of performing into his age 40 playing years.

Regardless of which side you come down on, the fact that Jose Bautista is not featured on the cover of the 2016 Blue Jays preview means that Rogers is at least ready for a future that focuses on Stroman, Donaldson and Tulowitzki. In the long run, that might not be a bad new core to build upon.

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