Major League Baseball

Bautista, Jays finalize big deal

Published Feb. 16, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

Jose Bautista, a career journeyman until smashing 54 home runs for the Blue Jays last season, hit the jackpot.

Bautista, 30, signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Jays.

The deal includes a club option for a sixth year that could raise the total value of the package to $78 million.

News of the potential agreement was first reported by Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com.

Bautista was scheduled to go to arbitration with the Jays earlier this week when the two sides postponed the hearing with the goal of reaching an agreement.

The new contract will cover Bautista's final year of arbitration and four years of free agency.

Bautista had asked for $10.5 million in arbitration. The Jays had offered $7.6 million.

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