According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Monday, the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to re-sign infielder Bo Bichette in free agency.

Nightengale also linked the Jays to free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is the top free agent on the market.

Bichette, who was expected to depart Toronto a year ago and whose name surfaced a year ago in trade talks now is expected to stay put to complete their goodwill tour.

The Bichette file

Now 27 years old, Bichette is one of the youngest free agents to hit the market over the last several years. He hit .311 this past season as the Jays won the American League East, also hitting 18 home runs and driving in 94. 

He's a two-time All-Star who is a career .294 hitter. If the Jays are to re-sign him, he'd pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander in the middle of Toronto's order, giving them one of the best trios in the American League.

He's led the American League in hits twice in his career and was on track to again this season before suffering a left knee sprain in early September.

How about the money?

The Bichette speculation has run the full gamut already this offseason. Some outlets have predicted eight-year deals, others seven. The money has been at $189 million. It's been at $240 million.

Then, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel put out his predictions last week and ticketed Bichette for just five years and $130 million. So, really, anything can happen. Would Bichette take less in order to stay with the Blue Jays? That will be important to see as well.

The questions remaining

If Toronto does bring back Bichette, where will he play? He's no longer regarded as a good defensive shortstop, so would they like to put him at second base and play Andres Gimenez at short? Could they put Bichette at third? But then what would happen to Ernie Clement, who became a hero in Toronto because of his epic World Series run? 

The timing

The general manager's meetings begin this week in Las Vegas, so you could see some groundwork laid for big deals there, but the real dominoes likely won't start to fall until the winter meetings, which take place from Dec. 7-10 in Orlando, Fla.

Juan Soto, Max Fried, and Willy Adames all signed during that week last year. Garrett Crochet was traded to the Boston Red Sox in that time as well.

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