Bautista and Blue Jays Are The Right Match

Sometimes things just make too much sense. We tend to complicate them and over-analyze instead of just seeing the best fit that was there all along. Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays needed each other. At 36 years old and coming off of an injury-riddled season, Bautista wasn’t in position to get the big, multi-year deal that seemed likely just one winter ago. The Blue Jays, who have suddenly lost two of their best hitters to free agency, needed to add a power bat to their 2017 lineup. Given the options and the cost, there was only one near perfect match. What could’ve been a situation where pride could’ve cost this perfect match, cooler heads eventually prevailed. The Blue Jays and Jose Bautista have reunited for the 2017 season with the possibility of extending that deal for another two years. For both sides, this is the perfect deal.

The Blue Jays formally announced the signing of Bautista to a one year deal worth $18 million. The deal includes a mutual option for 2018, valued at $17 million. If either side opts out, Bautista will receive a $500,000 payout. Finally, the deal includes a vesting option for the 2019 season at $20 million. If Bautista stays for the life of the deal, he will earn $55 million over the three years. In today’s market, it is a reasonable contract, even for an aging slugger.

Baseball Was Fine Before The Brawl

This isn’t a rant about the Rougned Odor punch. It isn’t a rant about bat flips, low throws, or teams being silly. All of that is a part of the game. Whenever two highly competitive teams get together and have some history, there is always a chance for emotions to boil over. It isn’t seen everyday–nor should it–but fights happen in sports. They shouldn’t and they aren’t necessary, but they happen. And, as far as baseball fights go, Sunday’s brouhaha had something most baseball brawls don’t. There was an actual punch  thrown and landed.