June 2016 - Toronto Blue Jays Wiretap

The Toronto Blue Jays could re-sign Jose Bautista after all if a short-term deal can be agreed upon.

It was reported on Thursday that the Blue Jays are "engaged in active contract discussions" with Bautista, but nothing is imminent.

Before signing with the Cleveland Indians, Edwin Encarnacion received a pair of contract offers from the Oakland Athletics.

One offer was a two-year, $50 million contract, while the second would have included a third-year option in exchange for an opt-out clause.

Oakland's offers are believed to have pushed the Indians to increase their own offer.

The Blue Jays have “kicked around” Andrew McCutchen’s name as they attempt to address their outfield, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports (all Twitter links). Pirates GM Neal Huntington recently said the team was likely to keep McCutchen after trade negotiations with the Nationals fell through. But, Crasnick writes, the Jays are one of several teams who are still interested in the Pirates’ star.

Veteran free agent Jose Bautista could be willing to take a one-year deal to return to the Blue Jays if the value exceeds that of the $17.2 million qualifying offer, according to a report from Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan on Friday night.

Edwin Encarnacion has agreed to sign with the Cleveland Indians on a three-year deal worth approximately $20 million per season. The deal will also contain an option for a fourth season.

Encarnacion, who turns 34 in January, had an .886 OPS in 702 plate appearances last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Encarnacion had previously posted an OPS of .900 or better in every season since 2012. 

Toronto previously signed Kendrys Morales in the offseason and had reportedly offered a four-year, $80 million deal.

The Oakland A's were also involved in pursuing Encarnacion in the final stretch of talks.

Edwin Encarnacion won't be re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, his agent says.

Paul Kinzer told Sportsnet 590 The Fan that his client has offers from six teams.

"It's not that there isn't interest in him, but we made it clear that Edwin wanted to return to Toronto, that's where he felt his home was," Kinzer said when asked of the Blue Jays.

Encarnacion planned to meet with the Blue Jays before any other club, but when they moved quickly to sign Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce at the winter meetings, "we felt like the door was pretty much closed."

"Nobody's mad at anybody. It's business," Kinzer said. "They saw an opportunity and they pursued it."

The Toronto Blue Jays have not made a formal offer to Jose Bautista that exceeds the value of the one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer, according to a report.

The market for Bautista has been slow to develop this offseason.

Edwin Encarnacion is focused on a long-term deal and is discussing options with several teams.

The Cleveland Indians have been linked to Encarnacion, but they would prefer to sign him to a shorter deal.

Jose Bautista and his agent approached the Boston Red Sox, but the two sides won't be working out a contract agreement.

Dave Dombrowski told Bautista's agent, Jay Alou, that the Red Sox are done adding significant payroll.

The Toronto Blue Jays remain in contact with Jose Bautista about a potential contract, according to a report.

The two sides met last week, but it doesn't appear as though they came much closer to a new deal.

Bautista declined the $17.2 million qualifying offer extended by the Blue Jays.