Anthony Santander Open To Short-Term Deal With High Annual Value
Anthony Santander is open to signing a short-term deal with a high annual value. Santander has been one of the top bats on the market all offseason but has been unable to seal a longer-term extension. Rosenthal noted that Santander might opt to take a short-term deal like many Scott Boras clients have done and would seek a larger contract before the 2026 season. For example, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell have taken shorter deals, which have allowed them to sign a larger contract in the future. The 30-year-old slugger launched at least 28 home runs for the third straight season and even hit a career-best 44 in 2024. He generated an impressive .506 SLG and an 11.7% barrel rate. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are among the clubs interested in Santander.
Source: Ken Rosenthal
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, free agent outfielder/designated hitter Source: Ken Rosenthal
Anthony Santander Sitting On Tuesday Amidst Slump
Anthony Santander will start on the bench in Tuesday's contest against the hosting Houston Astros. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will serve as the DH and bat second, while Will Wagner will draw into the lineup at first base and hit seventh against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco. Tuesday will be Santander's first game off of the season and will give him a much-needed break after he's gone 18-for-92 (.196) with two home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored and 23 strikeouts in 102 plate appearances over his 23 games played. In the last four games, he has just one hit in 15 at-bats. Fantasy managers will be hoping the day off can get the Venezuelan slugger going at the plate. Guerrero is a must-start in fantasy each and every day, but he has only two hits in 10 career at-bats against Blanco.
Source: MLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter Source: MLB.com
Anthony Santander Suffering Through Slow Start To The Season
Anthony Santander went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the team's shutout loss to the Astros on Monday night. The Blue Jays managed just two hits against Hunter Brown and the Astros, but it's a continuation of a rough trend for Santander, who is hitting just .196 this season with a pair of home runs and a .257 wOBA. The Blue Jays gave Santander a big five-year deal in free agency this past offseason, but the 30-year-old switch-hitter has been a big disappointment so far. His hard-hit rate has dropped from 41.4% to 35.7% and his barrel rate from 11.7% to only 4.3% this year, according to Statcast. Santander has gotten off to slow starts in the past in his career and been able to turn things around, so there's still hope he'll be a valuable fantasy asset. He's still a hold in most standard leagues, but you may have to relegate him to the bench until he finds a rhythm.
Source: ESPN.com
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Source: ESPN.com
Anthony Santander Away Due To Visa Issues
Anthony Santander has been away from camp while sorting out visa issues. However, Santander will be back in Dunedin on Wednesday night and is expected to play in a Grapefruit League game on Friday, according to manager John Schneider. The Blue Jays' offseason acquisition initially reported to camp but then had to leave to take care of the visa issues. It should be all sorted out now, though. The 30-year-old adds plenty of pop to the heart of Toronto's batting order for the 2025 season after inking a five-year, $92.5 million deal in free agency in the offseason. The switch-hitter clubbed a career-high 44 home runs in his final season in Baltimore in 2024 and could be the Jays' primary designated hitter in his first season in Canada. Although some regression wouldn't be a surprise, Santander is a pretty good bet for 30-plus homers if he stays healthy.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Anthony Santander Signs Five-Year Deal With Blue Jays
Anthony Santander agreed to a five-year deal worth at least $92.5 million guaranteed on Monday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. With an option involved in the deal, Santander has the potential to make $110 million. KPRC's Ari Alexander also reports that there is deferred money in the deal. Santander has an opt-out after the 2027 season that can be voided if a 2030 team option is exercised. It's the first big signing this offseason for Toronto and will give them a rising switch-hitting power bat to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of their lineup. The Venezuelan outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and hit .235/.308/.506 with an .814 OPS, a career-high 44 home runs and a career-high 102 RBI in 155 games with the Orioles. Although his power will play nicely in Toronto, fantasy managers may want to expect a slight step back in his power numbers in 2025.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Ari Alexander
Free-agent outfielder Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Ari Alexander
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