The presence of Dominican Juan Soto in MLB Free Agency is the one that breaks the spotlight, as happened with Shohei Ohtani in 2023. However, the Venezuelan Anthony Santander He also enters the lists of several teams that want to keep his power.
The Toronto Blue Jays They could turn to the free agent market to add some power this offseason. The Canadian club is interested in Santander, whom they “desire intensely,” according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The switch-hitter entered the winter as one of the best sources of power available in free agency after finishing second in the American League in home runs with 44. Only Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hit more home runs. The powerful hitter for the New York Yankees hit 58 home runs.
The Blue Jays need more power, since they ranked 26th in home runs in 2024 with 156 and the Venezuelan can solve that deficit.
In the General Manager meetings in early November, Ross Atkins mentioned improving the club in all facets, including its offense.
“We want to improve our pitching, improve our offense and build on a team that we think is good. They’re in a good starting position,” Atkins said.
Santander, 30, fits the description of someone who would help improve the Blue Jays’ offense. The Venezuelan has been a force at the plate since his breakout 2019 campaign, hitting 154 home runs with a .229 batting average and a 116 wRC+ while playing the majority of his games in the American League East.
Toronto is also a serious suitor for superstar free agent Juan Soto and has been linked to the likes of Willy Adames, Max Fried and Ha-Seong Kim as it looks to improve on its last-place finish in 2024.
Santander is wanted by the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. Latest press reports have indicated that the Venezuelan seeks a multi-year contract of at least five years and 100 million dollars.
