Jose Bautista Reportedly Agrees to Re-Sign with Blue Jays

Right fielder Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly agreed to a deal to keep the slugger in the AL East for at least a few more years.

Baseball Prospectus reported the two sides agreed to an incentive-laden deal that could run up to three years pending a physical. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the news and reported an announcement is anticipated later in the week.

Rosenthal also added the deal will be larger than the $17.2 million qualifying offer Bautista rejected.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com first reported on Jan. 15 that the Blue Jays "have emerged as the front-runner" for Bautista. 

Bautista finished this past season with a .234 batting average and 22 home runs.

The 36-year-old missed time after suffering injuries to his toe and knee. He managed to play only 116 games during the regular season and appeared to be at less than 100 percent when he was in the lineup.

Prior to 2016, however, Bautista earned a spot in six straight All-Star Games, winning three Silver Slugger awards in that stretch. He also finished in the top 10 in MVP voting four times, totaling at least 35 home runs with 100 RBI in each of those years.

The right-hander has twice led the American League in home runs since joining the organization in 2009.