Jays make qualifying offers to Bautista, Encarnacion
Encarnacion's agent says player expecting offers of $125M on free market
The Toronto Blue Jays confirmed they have made qualifying offers to free agents Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.
The offers are one-year deals worth $17.2 million US and ensure the Jays draft pick compensation should either player sign elsewhere. Bautista and Encarnacion have until Nov. 14 to accept the offers, though both are expected to decline.
The Jays did not make a qualifying offer to Canadian outfielder Michael Saunders, who had a big first half but struggled after the All-Star break.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> extend qualifying offers to Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. No offer for Michael Saunders.
—@ShiDavidiEncarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer, told TSN his client could command a deal worth $125 million US over five years.
Encarnacion, who will turn 34 in January, hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBI this season, the last of a three-year, $27 million deal he signed before the 2013 season.
Bautista, 36, earned $14 million in 2016, the final season of his five-year, $65 million. Bautista, who was on the disabled list twice this past season, played just 116 games, batting .234 with 22 homers and 69 RBI.
New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and second baseman Neil Walker also received qualifying offers from their teams Monday.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner also received the offers, as did major league home run leader Mark Trumbo of Baltimore. Texas outfielder Ian Desmond and Philadelphia pitcher Jeremy Hellickson got offers, too.
Twenty players received qualifying offers last year, when the amount was $15.8 million. Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters, Houston outfielder Colby Rasmus and Colorado right-hander Chad Qualls were the only ones to accept.
With files from the Associated Press