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Jose Bautista reaches deal with Toronto Blue Jays

By The Sports Xchange
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista walks off the field after being forced at second on the front end of a double play that ended the sixth inning for the Cleveland Indians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2016. . Photo by Darren Calabrese/UPI
1 of 3 | Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista walks off the field after being forced at second on the front end of a double play that ended the sixth inning for the Cleveland Indians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2016. . Photo by Darren Calabrese/UPI | License Photo

Outfielder Jose Bautista is returning to the Blue Jays on a one-year deal, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The contract is reportedly worth $17.2 million for 2017 and includes a mutual option for the following season.

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Bautista rejected that same one-year offer in November and became a free agent.

The 36-year-old Bautista is a six-time All-Star but didn't draw much interest on the free-agent market after hitting just 22 homers with 69 RBIs in 2016.

Prior to the season, Bautista insisted he wouldn't give the Blue Jays a "hometown discount" and would part ways if his financial demands weren't met.

Bautista joined the Blue Jays in 2008 and has three 40-homer seasons during his time with the club.

Toronto lost star slugger Edwin Encarnacion earlier in the offseason. Encarnacion signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent.

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