MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Jose Bautista

3. Boston Red Sox

As the market for Bautista slowly took shape last offseason, the Red Sox had some rumored interest. But draft pick compensation attached to signing him seemed to temper their willingness to invest heavily, and a return to Toronto became inevitable.

Boston’s lack of production at third base has been well documented, and they will surely be looking to add someone in a trade as the deadline nears. Todd Frazier of the Chicago White Sox seemed to be their top target at one time, and if the Royals decide to keep Mike Moustakas that’s one less option to fill the void. Dave Dombrowski is already reportedly turning some attention to the Marlins and Martin Prado, but a shift toward Toronto may not be too far behind.

Josh Donaldson looks like a possible trade target for the Red Sox, and he’s also in the final year of his current contract before hitting arbitration for a final time in the offseason. A long-term commitment would not necessarily be required, but Boston would at least be on the hook for any pay raise Donaldson got for 2018 unless they relinquished their rights to him. That could be too much to ask financially, and Bautista only carries a $500,000 buyout of his mutual option for next year.

Bautista has not spent much time at third base in recent years, but he obviously wouldn’t be brought to Boston for his glove work. He would also be another option to DH, if Hanley Ramirez can’t sustain his recent upward trend.