The Toronto Blue Jays made a significant move on Monday by securing a notable free agent, finalizing a five-year contract worth $92.5 million with Anthony Santander.
The deal also features an opt-out clause and a team option for 2030, alongside escalators that might raise the contract’s total value to $110 million over six seasons, as reported by his agency, the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
In the past year, Toronto had attempted to sign high-profile players, including Shohei Ohtani, and was also in contention for Juan Soto before his acquisition by the New York Mets in December. They were rumored to be among the finalists for Roki Sasaki as well, but the Japanese pitcher ultimately decided to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now, the Blue Jays have successfully added Santander to their roster, joining stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer. Toronto is aiming for a stronger showing in the upcoming season after finishing in last place in the AL East with a 74-88 record in 2024.
Santander enjoyed a stellar season with the Baltimore Orioles, marking career-best statistics with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 91 runs scored over 155 games. He posted a batting average of .235 along with a .506 slugging percentage, earning his first All-Star selection in the process.
Having turned 30 in October, Santander is notable for being the first switch-hitter in the major leagues to achieve 40 home runs since 2006. He is also among only four switch hitters to have hit at least 44 homers in a single season, joining the ranks of legends like Mickey Mantle, Lance Berkman, and Chipper Jones.
The Venezuelan slugger played a key role in helping Baltimore reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year, although they were eliminated in the first round by Kansas City.
After the previous season, Santander received a qualifying offer, which means the Orioles will obtain a compensatory draft pick after the first round of this year’s amateur draft. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will forfeit their second draft pick and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation for 2026.
Santander began his professional journey when he signed with Cleveland as an international free agent in July 2011. He was picked up by Baltimore during the Rule 5 draft in December 2016.
After struggling with right elbow inflammation, he made his MLB debut with the Orioles on August 18, 2017, but his first season was limited to just 13 games.
He truly emerged as a powerful hitter in 2022, where he recorded a batting average of .240 with 33 home runs and 89 RBIs across 152 games. This performance firmly established him as a valuable part of the Orioles’ rejuvenated young talent, as the team posted an 83-79 record following a challenging 110-loss season the year prior.
In 2023, Santander continued his impressive form, hitting .257, launching 28 home runs, driving in 95 RBIs, and tallying a career-high 41 doubles, contributing to Baltimore’s AL East title as they finished 101-61. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the Rangers in the AL Division Series shortly thereafter.
