It’s official—Anthony Santander is heading north of the border. The former Baltimore Orioles slugger has inked a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, it’s a big one.
We’re talking a five-year pact worth more than $92.5 million, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported.
Santander’s Breakout Season in 2024
If you’ve been paying attention to the AL East power dynamics, you know this is a significant move. Santander, now 30, had a breakout 2024 campaign, earning his first All-Star nod and a Silver Slugger award.
His batting average wasn’t exactly elite at .235, but when you’re belting 44 homers, driving in 102 runs, and posting a solid .814 OPS, teams are going to take notice.
And take notice they did—he’s been a rising force in the American League for a while now, with 33 home runs in 2022 and 28 in 2023.
Toronto Blue Jays Finally Land a Big Deal
Toronto’s front office must be breathing a sigh of relief after missing out on some big names this offseason.
Let’s face it: after swinging and missing on the likes of Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and even Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki, the Blue Jays needed a win.
Santander brings much-needed power to a lineup anchored by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and that’s exactly what Toronto fans have been clamoring for.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—Santander wasn’t exactly Plan A. Or even Plan B. Jays fans were dreaming of Soto’s bat in the middle of the lineup, and when that fell through, it left a bit of a sting.
Santander is a solid consolation prize, but is he enough to push Toronto past the Yankees, Rays, or even the Orioles? That remains to be seen.
The Orioles Face a Tough Road Ahead
As for Baltimore, this move leaves a significant hole in their lineup. The Orioles, who made back-to-back postseason appearances but failed to win a single playoff game, now face a tough road ahead.
Losing Santander’s bat is a blow, and general manager Mike Elias saw the writing on the wall back in November. He acknowledged the team would have to explore alternative options, and now, they’ll have to follow through on that promise.
In the end, Santander gets his payday, the Toronto Blue Jays get some power, and Orioles fans are left wondering what’s next. The AL East just got a little more interesting, and you can bet this won’t be the last big move of the offseason.
