Jose Bautista and Toronto Blue Jays agree to long-term deal
The Toronto Blue Jays have finally broken the deadlock with their big hitting player, Jose Bautista. The salary battle between the club and the player had been going on for a while. The two parties have agreed to a five-year deal worth $65 million. The player
was present at a press conference with manager John Farrell and general manager Alex Anthopoulos to talk about the deal.
“This is one of the biggest days of my life, for myself and my family,” he said.
Bautista said that after knowing what was transpiring at the club, what had been done over the long years and knowing how close the club was to the playoffs, there was no point in waiting to sign a long-term contract. The decision was also clearer since
Jose Bautista has grown to adore the city and the team personally. He had no reason to wait. He spoke of the club in a positive tone, saying how the management had treated him well.
Bautista wanted to be at the club for at least another year, but wanted to prolong the stay if possible. And possible it was. Bautista will receive $8 million for his services in the 2011 season. He will earn $14 million in the four seasons after that. The
club will also have an option for the 2016 season with the same wage package as the four preceding years. There will also be a $1 million buyout option.
The club and the player were at odds when the negotiations kicked off. Bautista wanted a raise and the club wanted a long-term contract. The matter would have gone to arbitration if Bautista had not given the club a chance to put a long-term offer on the
table. The panel hearing was delayed till Friday and the situation was quickly resolved.
“We were really negotiating up until the last minute," Anthopoulos said. “They had walked into the (arbitration) room, but we were so close. We were in the $60 million range. Ultimately, it’s like you ask for a timeout... just to get a little more time to
talk, just because you’re that close. If we were $20 million apart, then there’s nothing to talk about. But we were $2 million - $3 million apart and just trying to iron out some final things.”
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