On Wednesday, we heard that longtime Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is willing to move to second base, perhaps opening up his market in free agency. The Blue Jays have the ability to play him at short or second, with Andres Gimenez playing the other, so they really aren't affected by the news - other than that there is now more competition for Bichette in free agency.

The deep-pocketed Jays also have the ability to pay for Bichette - whatever the number is. They have the money and they aren't afraid to use it, as evidenced by their signings of Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Cody Ponce this offseason.

The question we all need to figure out is this: If they have the positional opening and the money to make a reunion with Bichette happen, then why haven't they? Do they actually want him back?

Things to know

Bichette was drafted and developed by the Blue Jays. He's a multi-time All-Star who is still just 27 years old. He's coming off a year in which he hit .311 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs. Young, homegrown All-Stars who hit .300 don't grow on trees, so I'd have to assume that the Jays do want him back, so what are the potential issues here that could be holding things back?

If they bring back Bichette...

Let's say they bring back Bichette and put him at second base. That leaves Ernie Clement at third and Addison Barger in right. Daulton Varsho is in center and one of George Springer and Anthony Santander is in left, with the other at DH. That all makes sense and it works.

However...

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How bad do they want Kyle Tucker?

The Jays have been connected to Tucker, the best offensive player on the market, for weeks now. Just how bad do they really want him? Because if they do, then things get really tricky and really fast.

Tucker would play right. Varsho would play center. And one of Springer and Santander would be in left, with the other at DH. Barger would have to slide to third and Clement would have to slide to second. There would be no room for Bichette in that regard.

Would they rather have Tucker? Is he the priority?

Also to note...

The Jays can take the risk and sign both players if they want and then deal with the fallout later. Varsho is a free agent after 2026, as is Springer. The "problem" gets alleviated in that case. What if someone gets injured this season and the "problem" ends up not being a problem at all?

And could the team take the extra drastic step and cut or trade Santander, who signed nearly a $100 million deal last offseason?

It's all possible, but it leads back to the original question: Does Toronto want Bichette back, and how badly?

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