The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a critical offseason and have the chance to make a blockbuster addition before opening day.
As the team faces a final season with superstar slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before he has the chance to hit free agency, the front office could be desperate to reinforce the roster with another slugger and return to the playoffs in 2025.
With that need in mind, Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report predicted that the Blue Jays would land one of the most coveted players remaining on the free agent market by giving Anthony Santander a four-year, $80 million deal.
“The Blue Jays are a team that’s seemed desperate to make an impact signing this offseason, and they have a need for a corner outfielder,” Kelly noted. “After having watched Santander play for the division-rival (Baltimore) Orioles for parts of eight seasons, they surely recognize what he could bring to their team.”
Santander enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2024 just ahead of hitting free agency, putting him in a strong position to land a significant contract for next season and beyond. He slugged a career-high 44 home runs, earning an All-Star nod, a Silver Slugger Award and Most Valuable Player Award votes in the process.
And a deal between Santander and the Blue Jays could be imminent, according to KPRC-TV, though there should be some competition for his services.
“Both the (Detroit) Tigers and Blue Jays also have interest in outfielder Anthony Santander, with the Blue Jays having an offer in, a league source tells KPRC 2,” according to a new report. “The Los Angeles Angels are another team with interest in Santander.”
If the Blue Jays are willing to dish out $80 million over four years, it seems likely they would be the front runner for Santander. That would eclipse the three-year, $66 million reunion between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Teoscar Hernández, a comparable slugger who was testing free agency.
And if a deal gets done, the Blue Jays can feel like they fortified their order with a bonafide slugger alongside Guerrero, putting them in a much better position to compete for a playoff spot and potentially extend or re-sign their homegrown star after the 2025 season.
“What’s there to like about Anthony Santander?” Kelly asked. “He’s a switch-hitting slugger that only struck out 129 times this past season. That’s an easy sell.”
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