The Toronto Blue Jays have made it official, re-signing Jose Bautista to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed base salary of $18 million on Wednesday.
It's official! Welcome back, @JoeyBats19! š š š pic.twitter.com/ORssJ3kKvH
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 18, 2017
The contract also contains a mutual option worth $17 million for 2018, and a $20 million vesting option for 2019.
Should either the team or Bautista decline the option for 2018, a $500,000 buyout will be issued.
Bautista also has attendance bonuses. 150K for 3.5M, 3.6M, 3.7M, 3.8M, 3.9M, 4M attendance. 900K per yer possible. #jays
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 18, 2017
Keeping Bautista is a positive PR move for the Jays in an offseason where they looked destined to lose two of their most popular players. Joey Bats has played nine seasons in a Jays uniform and ranks second all-time on the franchise home run list.
But of course, if the 36-year-old slugger can be productive next season, this move will pay dividends onĀ the field as well.
Last year was seen as a down year for the Dominican Republic native, although he still managed to postĀ a .817 OPS and .366 OBP in 116 games.
Bautista is also just one year removed from a monster season, where he hit 40 home runs.