Jose Bautista went from starting third baseman at the beginning of this season, to part-time starter halfway through the season, to reserve player, to demoted to the minors and now, gone from the organization all together.
Bautista, who was at Class AAA Indianapolis, was traded Thursday to Toronto for a player to be named later.
Bautista batted .242 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 107 games with the Pirates this season.
He was a part of the Rule 5 Draft fiasco of 2003 and played for four organizations in 2004 – Baltimore, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and the Mets. He was traded to the Pirates from the Mets in the Kris Benson deal.
It was a quick fall for Bautista, who offensively looked like he has the tools to be a very productive major leaguer.
Bautista's problem this season was that he was exposed as a major liability at third base as soon as the season began. In the first series at home against Chicago, Cubs manager Lou Piniella bunted numerous times Bautista's way with much success. Other teams picked up on this and his problems defensively were a reason Bautista eventually slipped down the depth chart and off the roster.
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