Jose Bautista won't discuss a new contract with the Toronto Blue Jays until after the season, but the outfielder hasn't ruled out re-signing with the club.

"I love the city," Bautista told Tom Verducci. "I'd be stupid to leave."

Bautista, who will be a free agent and turn 36 this fall, signed a six-year, $78 million contract in 2011. He shut down negotiations during spring training and denied that he asked the Blue Jays for $150 million over five years.

"I will explore every single option, whether it happens or not with the new regime, to continue to try to stay here," Bautista said. "That being said, I think teams utilize that a lot against players, [seeking] a discount or bargain price, and I think that's extremely unfair, especially to have your biggest contributors on the field and try to take advantage of the fact that they like it there and negotiate a tougher deal."