Longtime Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander is generating interest as one of the most talented position players remaining on the free-agent market. Speculation suggests that while returning to the Orioles seems unlikely, he may find a new home within the American League East, possibly joining the Toronto Blue Jays.
Santander concluded the 2024 season with a career-best performance. Over the course of the season, he posted impressive statistics, finishing with a batting line of .235/.308/.506. During his 665 plate appearances, he belted 44 home runs, smashed 25 doubles, drove in 102 runs, and crossed the plate himself 91 times. Notably, he joined an elite group, being one of only four players to hit more than 40 home runs in the season. His remarkable contributions earned him a 14th-place finish in the AL MVP voting – a noteworthy achievement – alongside his selection for his first All-Star Game and receipt of a Silver Slugger Award, marking his status as one of the league’s top offensive talents.
At 30 years of age, Santander has been on the radar of several teams in the AL East during the offseason, including not only the Blue Jays but also the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicts that Santander will take his talents north to Toronto for the foreseeable future. He mentions the growing buzz within the industry suggesting that the Blue Jays are making a serious bid for Santander’s services, recognizing a pressing need for his 44-home run power to complement their star players, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, within the lineup.
Despite some initial quietness around Santander’s market, Bowden anticipates that he will ultimately secure a long-term contract, although it may come with the caveat of joining a non-contending team. He notes the increasing optimism surrounding the Blue Jays’ interest in Santander and emphasizes the potential fit within their lineup. Furthermore, he mentions that other teams, including the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants, have expressed varying degrees of interest as well.
As for Santander’s potential contract, discussions suggest a figure around five years for $89 million. However, if the competition for his signing increases, there’s a chance that the deal could escalate to nine figures.
The evolving dynamics in the free-agent market and Santander’s impressive performance in the previous season position him as a desirable candidate for teams looking to bolster their offensive capabilities. For the Blue Jays, adding Santander would provide a significant boost, particularly in a division known for its competitive nature. The prospect of pairing Santander with Guerrero Jr. and Bichette could create a formidable lineup that would challenge other teams in the league.
