April 22, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 22, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
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.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
February 26, 2025
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
January 20, 2025
Free-agent outfielder
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Ari Alexander
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