Add Jose Bautista to the list of players (Albert Pujols and Rickie Weeks) that have set deadlines to get a new contracts done.

According to Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun, the the 2010 MLB home run leader said that if the sides cannot reach a contract extension prior to the arbitration hearing (set for Monday), there will be no further negotiations on a long-term contract until Bautista is a free agent after the 2011 season.

“I won’t be open to it after the hearing,” said Bautista

It’s possible that the sides can settle on a deal and avoid a hearing, but there’s a $2.9 million difference between them now.  Bautista is arbitration-eligible and has asked for $10.5 million while the team countered with $7.6 million.

“After the hearing, I believe we will notify the team that (a long-term deal) is not going to be a possibility, unless it’s in that window they have from the end of the season until the free agency period begins.”

Going to a hearing could hurt the chances of the Blue Jays signing him to a long-term deal next winter.  The team may be hesitant in investing a large sum of money to a player that may have had a fluke 2010 season where he led the Majors in home runs with 54.  Another strong season in 2011 will guarantee Bautista a tremendous payday this winter when he enters free agency for the first time in his career.

“My desire is to play in Toronto long term but, after the hearing, or during the season, I have come to the conclusion that it’s probably not the best thing for me to be negotiating any type of deal,” he said. “I want to focus on the game and trying to win ballgames.