Heyman: Bautista, Encarnacion 'Most Logical' Ortiz Replacements For Red Sox
BOSTON (CBS) -- Veteran baseball writer Jon Heyman created quite the stir on Thursday, reporting that Blue Jays sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are thinking about potentially joining the Red Sox when they become free agents after this season.
Both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion envision the Red Sox as a possible winter landing spot, provided David Ortiz really does go through with his plan to retire. It's well known that Bautista has sought $150 million for five years, at least, as first reported by TSN's Rick Westhead. Encarnacion will seek at least four years as a free agent. Toronto offered two.
Heyman joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand on Friday to discuss the rumor, and said he didn't realize it would be such a big deal.
"Had I known [it would have stirred controversy] it would have been the lead. I thought this was natural and presumed," said Heyman. "You have two sluggers, both of whom had [contract] negotiations in Spring Training that went nowhere. They are going to be free agents and we know Ortiz says he's retiring, and obviously Boston is a big market team. Bautista and Encarnacion have both performed well there and like hitting at Fenway Park. What right-handed slugger wouldn't?
"I guess these guys are taking some heat in Toronto for even thinking about another team. But it's only natrual if you're a free agent and your negotiations didn't go well with your current team, as much as you like that team, you're going to be thinking about toher teams. I have heard, and the players may deny they're thinking about anything but Toronto, but I've heard they're thinking about Boston. I'm not shocked by that, but apparently a lot of people are."
Bautista will be 36 next season and Encarnacion 34, so Heyman doesn't think either of the bash brothers will get their hefty asking price on the open market. And with Mark Shapiro running the show in Toronto, he doesn't think either slugger will get the term they seek from the Blue Jays. That would make Boston the next logical spot for either of them.
"Barring a change of mind by Ortiz, [the Red Sox] will probably get a big hitter somewhere and these two are the two most logical candidates," said Heyman.
Heyman also touched on the upcoming trade deadline, and the slim pickings on the starting pitching front. Listen to the full interview below:
