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Gibbons: 'I didn't think Jose would be coming back'

Tim Heitman / Reuters

The Toronto Blue Jays officially welcomed outfielder Jose Bautista back into the organization last week when they announced a one-year, $18-million deal with the slugger which included two options that could keep the Dominican in town until the end of 2019.

Negotiations between the Blue Jays and Bautista stretched across a large chunk of the offseason, with negotiations finally picking up steam in the new year - and after Toronto lost Edwin Encarnacion to the Cleveland Indians in free agency.

At points throughout the offseason, it appeared the two sides wouldn't be able to reach an agreement. Even manager John Gibbons thought it was unlikely the 36-year-old would return.

"To be honest, I didn't think Jose would be coming back," Gibbons told MLB Network Radio on Monday. "I think he will have a big year for us. He's highly motivated."

Bautista and his agent, Jay Alou, mentioned to reporters during a press conference on Saturday that they had turned down multiple offers from other clubs to return to Toronto. The New York Mets and Minnesota Twins had both reportedly showed interest in his services.

The 36-year-old appeared in just 116 games last season while dealing with injuries, but still contributed 22 home runs and 69 RBIs to go along with a .817 OPS in 517 plate appearances.

It's likely he'll spend most of the 2017 season in right field, but he's said he'd be open to play more positions - including first base - if the club asks him to.

Over the course of his nine-year career in a Blue Jays uniform, Bautista is among the franchise leaders in home runs (265), RBIs (701), and OPS (.910).

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