One of the big ones got away. The Blue Jays appear poised to reel the other one back in.



According to multiple reports late Sunday night, the Jays and free agent Jose Bautista are close to a reunion. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com was first to report that a deal was imminent.



The Athletic can confirm that the two sides have indeed been in serious discussions. While nothing is official, and the length of the deal is uncertain, indications are that the Jays are agreeable to an annual salary figure slightly above the $17.2-million (U.S.) qualifying offer Bautista rejected in November.



In relative terms, that would represent a bargain, akin to the bargain the Jays enjoyed over the past five years when Bautista’s contract netted him $14-million per season.



Bringing back Bautista addresses two problems for Toronto. The most obvious is putting an iconic slugger and on-base machine back in right field. Among restive fans, the return of Bautista would...