Bautista Returns to Toronto

Though Edwin Encarnacion walked, the Blue Jays brought back one of the most feared power bats in baseball, Jose Bautista. He didn't get the long term deal he was hoping for, but beyond the $18 million guaranteed for the 2017 season, it includes a $17 million mutual option for 2018 and a $20 million vesting option for 2019, meaning it could end up being a three year, $55 million deal. The 36 year old is coming off his worst year since his 2010 breakout, but power is so hard to find these days that he still has significant value. His 22 home runs last season marked the seventh straight season that he has reached that total, and in the same span, he's never had a slugging percentage below .452 (2016) or an on-base percentage below .358 (2012 and 2013). His return will put him back in right field alongside center fielder Kevin Pillar and Melvin Upton Jr. While familiar faces Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Devon Travis, and Russell Martin will share the lineup card with him, there will also be some new names, most notably Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce. Even without Encarnacion, the return of Bautista means that the Blue Jays' offense will still be among the best in baseball. For his career, Bautista has 308 home runs, 267 doubles, a .255 average, and 60 stolen bases over 1519 games.