Bautista’s return helps — to a point
Jays’ order restored with leadoff man — but they need an arm
It was not quite a “hail the conquering hero” moment on Monday at the Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays beat the Padres 4-2, but the repatriation from the DL of Jose Bautista and his power bat to the lineup was a welcome addition for a team that believes it’s a true contender.
With catcher Russell Martin also returning after missing three games because of a freak sauna/shower mishap, the Jays, for the first time, have the lineup they thought they’d have when the season began.
In Bautista’s first game back in his familiar leadoff role, after a 1-for-11 log in a weekend rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo, he popped up and grounded into a double play prior to a walk in the fifth, then ripped a line-drive single to left in the seventh. He also covered a lot of ground in right field.
However, with a week remaining before the MLB trade deadline without waivers, there is no guarantee that Bautista’s power bat will be the elixir needed to carry the Jays through the final two months — absent another move.
His return is viewed internally as if they have added an impact bat without giving up assets — maybe not quite as dramatic as last July’s roundup of Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere, but similar. Bautista was injured crashing into a plexiglass pane in the outfield wall in Philadelphia and had been out since mid-June with turf toe. He is not yet 100 per cent but, with adrenaline, close enough.
“Nobody can tell the future, but we’re definitely capable of winning just as many games, if not more (than 2015),” an optimistic Bautista offered in a crowded dugout at batting practice. “I think we’re capable (of ) being a playoff team again, and after that it’s just how you play in the post-season. We have what it takes. It’s just a matter of execution.”
The Jays’ front-office duo of GM Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro still have the talent conundrum that is the role of Aaron Sanchez to take care of by Monday. Do they reach out for a starter better than Drew Hutchison or Jesse Chavez and roll the dice? Do they acquire a solid relief pitcher that can shut down a late inning and ride the starter Sanchez, innings count be damned? Do they do nothing and make a future starter decision with only Hutchison and Chavez?
There have already been some nice packages handed over for pitching help. The Padres scored a top prospect from the Red Sox for left-hander Drew Pomeranz, and the Cubs felt compelled to surrender their fourthranked prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Gleyber Torres, in order to land closer Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs are all in for a World Series.
But for Bautista? This is a trade deadline where pitchers will have the most value. Bautista would be a nice rental for two months, but he has control of his own fate with 10 years in the majors and the last five with the same club. He would need to be bought out. And while the Jays can hang onto him and then make a qualifying offer, receiving a well- placed 2017 draft pick as compensation, any team that acquires him now would receive nothing if he left in free agency.
The Jays can wait because the prospect they would get in return would not be as good. Those are the rules.
Besides, Bautista wants one final lucrative contract because he felt he was underpaid the last time he signed. The right fielder wants to cash in once before he retires. This is it.
That means the Jays have his attention for the next two months.
There exists double the incentive for Joey Bats in that he wants to show he can again lead his team to the playoffs and, at the same time, he needs to post big numbers over the final 63 games to jack up the cost of doing business. There are no guarantees he will produce simply because it’s what he wants, but it’s the Jays’ best option.
“You’re never going to have a problem with motivation with Jose,” manager John Gibbons said. “He’s just wired that way. He’s always pushing. He wants to be the best at whatever he does. . . . But he is a free agent, so he’s driven to do that. That can only help us, I know that.”
One other factor that points to keeping him is that, in terms of the veteran players inside that clubhouse, the ones who were a part of last year’s near-miss, the new front office is still on internal probation. If Atkins gets rid of Bautista, there’s a good chance he loses the hearts and souls of the core group.
Recall in 2014 when Jays players thought they were within a piece or two of making a run in the second half and GM Alex Anthopoulos did nothing.
That team went into a death spiral — they were 60-50, and a game and a half out, before going 18-27 through Sept. 21, then regrouping for a solid final week when it hardly mattered anymore.
Bautista was asked what he believed needed to be done by Atkins in terms of player acquisition in seven days. He often has an opinion.
“I don’t think I always have an opinion. I think I’m always asked the question as a leader of this team,” Bautista said, deftly avoiding an obvious trap lobbed in his direction. “That being said, we have a great team. I don’t see the necessity to do anything.”
Nevertheless, despite the confidence Bautista has in the Jays as-is, there will be inevitable injuries and failures. Atkins will be working hard to find a starting pitcher or a solid veteran reliever.