DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista appear to have found common ground in determining a fair-market value for the 2010 home-run king.
Reports by ESPN Desportes and Fox Sports say the sides are nearing a five-year contract worth US$65 million.
A source requesting anonymity indicated to The Canadian Press that things are getting close and the numbers sound right.
If completed, the Blue Jays would lock up a player who went from underachieving journeyman to all-star during a remarkable 2010 season.
Bautista slugged a club-record 54 home runs, drove in 124 runs, scored 109 runs and walked 100 times.
The challenge in completing a long-term arrangement had been in accurately gauging a fair value on the production that can be expected in coming seasons from Bautista.
His 54 homers more than tripled his previous career-high of 16.
Any agreement would need to protect the Blue Jays from a dramatic dip in production while at the same time offering enough incentive for Bautista to pass on free agency.
