I was worried that this would happen. After repeatedly trying and falling short in free agency, the Blue Jays finally landed a big name…but they needed a huge amount of extra money to make it happen. They signed Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92 million contract with player options, deferred payments and other features. This contract should definitely make them 2-3 this year, but I really question whether it will age well. not at all.
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Blue Jays sign Anthony Santander after near-miss with big name
Santander is coming off a career year in which he set personal bests in home runs, walks, and wRC+, but also had the lowest BABIP and batting average of his career. That’s real power, he swings into the seat, attacks the ball with intent, has a lot of lift on the finish trying to get the ball up in the air, and that translates into a ton of long balls and Generates a lot of pop-ups. He’s a below-average defender for a corner of the outfield, and he’s likely to decline further now that he’s in his 30s. This glove is still playable for now, but there is a growing possibility that the need for a DH will increase during the contract period.
The Blue Jays needed a bat like Santander. The existing options for outfielders were “Thoughts and Prayers,” but neither of them had particularly good results in 2024. George Springer may be happy because he is 35 years old and has seen a decline in performance after five consecutive full seasons. season. He still has two years and just over $48 million left on his contract, but no one is willing to take it and they can just leave him on the bench and give Santander some at-bats. The other corner is still open, but I’d like to see Joey Loperfido, acquired in the Yusei Kikuchi trade, take a shot there. They don’t want to waste bat appearances on players like Davis Schneider, who had 454 PA last year as a replacement-level player primarily in left field, and Ernie Clement, a standout defender at third base with a .284 OBP. It has to stop. In 139 games, he drew 10 unintentional walks. Give the players who are on base and hitting the ball that playing time, and be grateful.
This is a great result for Santander. He was one of the last remaining big hitters in free agency, but he’s a perfect fit for the type of player who doesn’t age well into his 30s. He has more power than he hits, no speed, and already has poor defense in the corners. He could have a big season in 2025, and if it helps the Jays compete for the playoffs, that probably justifies the commitment, but the five-year outlook — he doesn’t opt out Assuming that, and assuming I don’t opt out — it’s going to be tough. .
There aren’t many teams left looking to improve their offense, and that list should at least include the Mariners and Giants, but given the length of his contract, you can’t blame them for letting Santander go. He may have been a great fit for the Mariners, who need power more than OBP help, but that need is more acute in the dirt than in the outfield. The Giants are a good fit on the roster, but with the power they need more OBP support. Jurickson Profar is probably the best remaining outfield free agent. He had his career in 2024, but was so bad in 2023 that the Rockies released him. So I’m never going to blame teams that want to throw dangerous stuff. File a lawsuit before those negotiations.
(Photo: Nick Turchiaro/USA Today)
