At long last, the Toronto Blue Jays are no longer the bridesmaid. They are actually getting a guy they have wanted to sign for a while, and have another bat to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., at least for 2025.
Jon Morosi reports that the Blue Jays are landing slugging outfielder Anthony Santander:
Anthony Santander and Blue Jays are in agreement pending physical, sources say. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 20, 2025
Santander, 30, has hit .247/.310/.476/116 wRC+ over the last six seasons, with 154 homers. The switch-hitter isn’t much of an on-base guy or a defender, but he can definitely hit a lot of dingers. As a later-signing qualified free agent, I wonder how much Santander is going to get.
This probably takes the Blue Jays out on Pete Alonso, if they were ever truly in, and maybe it’s about time he takes the best deal he can get to return to the Mets. The Blue Jays had also reportedly been a possible Alex Bregman suitor, and I suppose I could levy an argument in both directions as to the impact of this signing. The Blue Jays may simply want to keep pushing.
You also wonder whether Max Scherzer is up next for the Blue Jays:
MLB rumors: Blue Jays showing interest in Max Scherzer, market heating up for All-Star reliever https://t.co/XIZKu3y0PN
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) January 20, 2025
UPDATE: Santander doesn’t get a huge AAV, but he does get a large guarantee for a guy in his 30s with an overall limited skill set:
Free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander in agreement with Toronto Blue Jays on five-year contract for more than $90M, source tells @TheAthletic. Deal includes club option. First on agreement: @JonMorosi— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2025
Santanderโs 5 year deal is for at least $92.5 million guaranteed, with the potential to get to $110 million with the option involved, per source.— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) January 20, 2025