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Bautista will sign a one-day contract with the Blue Jays on Friday before officially retiring, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Bautista is 42 and hasn't played anywhere since 2018, but his retirement hasn't been official until now. He played 15 seasons and for eight different teams, but his best years by far came during his 10 years in Toronto, a stretch which saw him bat .253/.372/.506, make six straight All-Star teams and on four occasions finish in the top 10 in American League MVP voting.
Bautista worked out as a pitcher over the winter and is hoping to continue his career in 2020 as a two-way player, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Before Major League Baseball suspended spring training in mid-March, Bautista hadn't signed with a team and wasn't known to have any job offers on the table, but that apparently hasn't convinced him to call it quits. At the very least, Bautista is eager to participate in the 2021 World Baseball Classic, either as a member of the Dominican Republic or Spain roster (he's eligible to play for the latter country because his father holds Spanish citizenship.) Bautista could find work in a foreign league prior to the World Baseball Classic in an attempt to keep himself sharp, but the 39-year-old's time in affiliated ball is likely over. Bautista last saw MLB action in the 2018 season, logging 399 plate appearances between the Braves, Mets and Phillies.
Phillies' Jose Bautista: Collects two steals in finale
Rotowire
Bautista went 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs Sunday in the Phillies' 3-1 win over the Braves.
Making perhaps his final MLB appearance, the 37-year-old started in right field and turned in just his second multi-hit performance of September. Perhaps more surprising was Bautista's activity on the bases, as he had tallied only two stolen bases on the season entering Sunday's contest. Bautista hasn't indicated whether he intends to play in 2019, but he will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal this winter if he elects to keep his career going.
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