By: Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Will Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion be gone? Will the Blue Jays braintrust open up the vault and try to keep them? You would think so.

It depends on what they are seeking in money and the years. Both could command four-year deals worth $75-80 million.

Further down the ladder are outfielder Michael Saunders and reliever Brett Cecil, who will command some attention, but not top free-agent coin.

Saunders enjoyed a stellar first half of the season, then went into a tailspin in the second half before achieving some success in the post-season. It seems inconceivable that the Jays would make him a qualifying offer of $17.5-million in an attempt to keep him. He doesn’t deserve that kind of money.

Saunders earned less than $3-million last season after being given a $25,000 raise over his 2015 stipend. Cecil largely had an unceremonious season although near the end he wasn’t too shabby. As a lefty, he could command a three-year contract worth $15-18 million.

Then there is backup catcher Dioner Navarro and Joaquin Benoit, the pitcher with the Latin sounding first name and the French moniker of a surname. The Jays may have some interest in both Navarro and Benoit but there likely will be no interest in R.A. Dickey, who was left off the roster for the entire post-season.

Disabled-list pitcher Gavin Floyd is also a free agent and could be part of the Jays’ plans next season. When he wasn’t injured, he provided a serviceable role out of the bullpen.

The biggest surprise this season was Rule V draft pick Joe Biagini, who was hauled away from the Giants’ organization.

“It’s funny. I think a lot of people who just saw Joe this year for the first time thought he was a big surprise and that he came out of nowhere. The only thing I can say to that is Joe is on this process,’’ said his agent Matt Brown. “He’s been on this path, getting better and better each year..

“He had a really good year in Double-A and the Blue Jays kind of jumped up, took him and extradited his career. He’s such a great story. He’s a really bright, fun-loving, funny guy, who is such an intensive worker and a grinder.’’

Another surprise was Zeke Carrera, although he didn’t play much in the majors all season. His contribution in the post-season was immense. He qualifies for salary arbitration this winter and should get a deal close to $1-million.

One interesting tweak to off-season contract negotiations is pitcher Marcus Stroman, who may sneak into Super 2 status with two years and 148 days of service. MLB PR specialist Michael Teevan told me that due to confidentiality he couldn’t tell me if Stroman was eligible for arbitration and he couldn’t tell me the break-off point for Super 2 players to qualify.

It isn't urgent but pitcher Aaron Sanchez is a prime candidate for a multi-year contract. He isn't eligible for arbitration but following a 15-2 season with a glittering 3.00 ERA, he fits into the mold of someone who should be given more than just a measly raise to $535-550,000 from his current $517,800.

It also could be argued that Roberto Osuna and Kevin Pillar are candidates for multi-year deals.

Reliever Jason Grilli, 39, may retire or will the Jays entice him back by exercising the economical $3-million option they hold on him for next season?

And where does outfielder Dalton Pompey fit in next season? He was used sparingly in the post-season, basically as a pinch runner. He was a luxury item, who was not trustworthy enough to be used as a batter or as a fielder in the playoffs.

Pompey really needs to step up his game offensively and defensively if he hopes to be part of the organization beyond spring training.