Atkins on extensions to Bautista and Encarnacion

Blue Jays new GM, Ross Atkins was on MLB Radio, and of course, he was asked about Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion and their possible extensions.

You can listen to it:

#BlueJays Ross Atkins: We made it clear we to Encarnacion and Bautista that we want to keep them past 2016 https://t.co/LbLOIfIuTg

— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 10, 2016

Atkins says that they have talked to both in length, letting both know that they would like to extend them (of course, depending if they can come to agreement on numbers). They have talked to Edwin in person and Jose on the phone and will be traveling to talk to Jose in person next week.

Would we like to have them here long term? Absolutely.

They must have some idea of what each of the two are expecting. It's interesting, Edwin is two years younger, but kind of has profiles a bit older, being pretty much a DH who can play a bit of first. Jose, at some point in the next couple of years, will have to be moved out of right, likely to first base. Do you give both similar contracts? Does Jose get a little more money, since he's been the face of the team for years?

It's a tough spot for Atkins and Shapiro, you know, what ever they do, the ones that have decided to hate them will say they are wrong. You do have to figure that, if they let either go, there will be a lot of complaining.

As much as I always get rid of guys before their mid-30's, in OOTP Baseball, I like watching Jose and Edwin and would like ot keep them.