Report: Blue Jays' Bautista generating trade interest

Joey Bats might be flipping lumber south of the border by the time the calendar turns to August.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has received some interest on the trade market, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Historically, he's been one of baseball's most feared hitters throughout his tenure in Toronto, but he's batting a baffling .197/.312/.338 since the beginning of June.

In addition to his numbers falling well below expectations, he has full 10-and-5 rights, so he can veto any trade. If the Blue Jays are going to move the slugger, they will need his blessing.

And the return will have to make sense. Even though he's struggling with the bat, he still manages to get on base at a decent clip relative to his batting average.

Crasnick added that the Blue Jays are more interested in dealing pitchers Marco Estrada, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Smith and are eyeing a return to contention in 2018 if this season continues to spiral out of control.

Bautista and the Blue Jays have a mutual option worth $17 million for 2018 and a $20 million vesting option in 2019.