Duquette: Orioles to pass on Bautista, not a fan favourite
OXON HILL, Md. — Jose Bautista has long been booed whenever he’s played in Baltimore. Now, the free agent slugger wants the Orioles to consider signing him, and the team isn’t having any part of it.
Bautista, who made his major league debut with the O’s in 2004, has tussled in recent years with Baltimore pitcher Darren O’Day and outfielder Adam Jones, among others.
Orioles Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette was asked about the 36-year-old Bautista on a Toronto radio station Tuesday night, and he said he wouldn’t sign the longtime Blue Jays star because Baltimore fans didn’t like him.
In a session with Baltimore reporters at the winter meetings, Duquette expanded on his remarks.