The market for Jose Bautista has been slow to develop, but a new team has emerged as a possible landing spot for the free-agent outfielder.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, "it remains possible" that the Tampa Bay Rays will negotiate with Bautista, who has a home near Tropicana Field.

However, Topkin notes that potential barriers to any deal include Bautista's asking price -- which would likely need to be lowered -- as well as the draft pick that the Rays are required to forfeit if they sign him.

Bautista became a free agent when he rejected a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Toronto Blue Jays after the 2016 season. By doing so, any team that signs him must relinquish a draft pick. In the case of Tampa Bay, that pick is currently No. 31 next June.

Topkin also reports "whispers of a potential one-year Toronto revenge tour while playing from the comfort of his Tampa home."

The Rays' interest contrasts with other AL East teams when it comes to Bautista. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported that the Boston Red Sox have decided against signing him, and sources told Jon Heyman that the Baltimore Orioles also are out of the running for 13-year veteran's services.

Bautista, 36, slashed .234/.366/.452 during an injury-plagued 2016 season. He finished with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, but his batting average and OPS were his lowest in seven years.

-- Nick Ostiller