Jose Bautista might get one more shot at the playoffs this season after all.
The Phillies have claimed the veteran outfielder off revocable waivers from the Mets and the teams are discussing trade possibilities ahead of a Tuesday deadline, The Athletic reported. The Mets could also pull Bautista back off waivers and keep him for the rest of the season, or let the Phillies have him without compensation.
If the teams can get a deal done, Bautista would play for a third different NL East team this season. After failing to land a job last offseason following his departure from Toronto, Bautista signed with the Braves in April but was released after hitting .143 in 12 games.
He has been better since signing with the Mets in late May but nowhere near his previous form as a six-time All-Star. He has a .163/.302/.288 slash line in August.
Bautista would provide Philadelphia with a veteran bat off the bench who is capable of playing outfield, third base and first base — not a bad option for Gabe Kapler's still-young team, which lost Justin Bour to an oblique strain last week.
The Phillies enter Monday three games back of the Braves in the NL East and two back in the NL wild card race.
