Orioles reportedly won’t sign Jose Bautista because their fans don’t like him
There is no question that Royals fans don’t particularly like outfielder Jose Bautista (Hate is a strong word, so I won’t use it).
But Bautista, who played for the Royals briefly in 2004, has irritated KC fans while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays (he first joined the Jays in 2008).
In fact, during the 2015 American League Championship Series, Bautista didn’t make any fans in Kansas City when he faked throwing a ball to a fan in the stands.
As it turns out, Bautista is not well liked in other places. He is a free agent now and the Baltimore Orioles reportedly were honest about why they wouldn’t try signing him.
Orioles prefer to keep draft, too, but to explain why Bautista doesn't fit, they told JB camp: O's fans just don't like him
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
Duquette: "We told (Bautista's) agent that we are not interested because our fans don't like him." #Bluejays #Jays #Orioles
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) December 7, 2016
Despite hitting 265 home runs in nine seasons with the Blue Jays, the 36-year-old Bautista apparently wouldn’t be a good fit for the Orioles.
In 2015, Bautista and the Orioles’ Adam Jones exchanged words, and Baltimore fans were not very happy.
I have no insight into what Royals general manager Dayton Moore is thinking, but I’d imagine there would be some Royals fans who would not be pleased if Bautista was signed to play in Kansas City again.
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff