Jose and the Bean

"Hey Bean, what is it we're trying to do"..."Jose, we're trying to takeover the world, well at least the Jays payroll to start with"...

" But Bean, can we do that ? "
" Of course we can, they have little choice, they want to sell tickets, don't they ?"

"Yeah, I suppose so, but what if I cannot hit 54 home runs again ?"

" They don't know that, and if they do not sign you long term, and you have another great season, we'll make millions, billions !!! " "So they are up against my dear Jose"

" Bean, why are you so smart ?"

" My dear Jose, it's my immense brain, and they just dumped that Wells character, so their fans are anxious to keep their new superstar "

" is that what I am Bean, a superstar ?"  " Jose, never doubt it, but make sure you keep smaking those home runs, chicks dig the long ball, and all that superfluous garbage".

" So Bean, tell me what will I get "    " Jose, more than they are willing to give, for sure, plus interest".


In any dance of negotiations , both sides have agendas, the Jays want him for 4 years, Bautista wants big money and big years. The Jays have spent poorly before. Eric Hinske, AJ Burnett, Alex Rios, Frank Thomas, BJ Ryan, Eric Hanson, Randy Myers, I could go on. They have also burned up contracts and just paid them out, like Thomas and Rios.
Lately though, local management has proven the old adage "There's a sucker born every minute"...stolen from PT Barnum. Wells was peddled to the Angels, and the Jays balance sheet is at it's best level in years.
They are still having tickle fights rejoicing in the money they have saved.

But here comes this Jose Bautista fellow, and hi Bean agent, and they are expecting the Rogers vault to open up. And it may, for one reason and one reason alone. That is Bean's agenda, open the vault or we walk.

How can the organistation spout that 2012 is their year to compete for a pennant, if they let Bautista walk ?

" So Bean, will they let me walk ? "....." Not a chance Jose, or no way Jose...."

That will be the public's perception of the Jays if they don't sign him long term.

That the club is still fiscally responsible ( meaning that Rogers is bottom line oriented ) and until 3 million fans come throught the turnstiles, a 5 year $75 million deal seems out of the question.

Anthopoulos has his ideal about the deal, 3 years plus a club option at $ 11.5 to $ 12 mill a year.( Josh Hamilton money ) Incentives dicated, based on at bats and stats initiating th 4 rth year, is Jays wish list.


Fans hope that A.A. and Beeston have managed to convince Rogers to "show them the money", if not
and they do reach arbitration, set the clock for a trade to go off by July 31st.


" So Brain, I mean Bean, am I going to play for the Jays ? "

" My dear Pinky, of course you will, at least for this season....."