Fansided

5 potential free-agent landing spots for Jose Bautista

By Joshua Sadlock

Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox

With David Ortiz retiring, the Boston Red Sox will be searching for a major offensive weapon to fill out the middle of their lineup. Bautista has already expressed an interest in traveling south from Toronto to Boston. Jumping ship to join a division rival makes sense for Bautista on many levels.

Current Red Sox manager John Farrell previously managed Bautista in Toronto, and they continue to have a good relationship. Outside of the Rogers Centre, Bautista has done the most damage on the road at Fenway Park, and its short left-field fence is tailor made for his swing. Lastly, the Red Sox desperately need a replacement for Ortiz.

Bautista would be a perfect addition for the Red Sox; he’s patient, powerful and cocky — essentially a right-handed version of Ortiz. In Boston, Bautista could make the full-time transition to DH. With three or four more good seasons, Bautista could give himself an outside shot at the Hall of Fame and the 500 home run club. For that to happen, he will need to be in a lineup and stadium that allow him to thrive. Boston provides both.

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