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The Toronto Blue Jays finally found someone willing to take their money.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the Blue Jays and Anthony Santander are in agreement on a contract. Ari Alexander from KPRC 2 Houston reported that Santander will receive a five-year deal worth at least $92.5 million.
The Blue Jays have had several near misses in their attempts to bring a top free agent to Toronto. Pitchers Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki, outfielder Juan Soto and two-way star Shohei Ohtani had reportedly considered signing with the Blue Jays only to end up elsewhere.
Those disappointments did not dissuade Toronto from pursuing other top free agents. The Blue Jays and Santander had reportedly been making progress on a contract over the weekend. This time, they were able to seal the deal.
Ranked as the 12th-best free agent per FanGraphs, Santander was one of the best pure power hitters on the market. He produced a .235/308/.506 batting line in his 665 plate appearances last season, hitting 44 homers and 25 doubles. Santander made his first All-Star Game and won his first Silver Slugger award.
The Blue Jays latest signing does have flaws. He is among the slowest players in the majors, ranking in the 18th percentile in sprint speed. He will likely need to be moved to first base or designated hitter before his contract is over. Santander also posted a 17.1 percent home run to fly ball rate, a likely unsustainable number.
Despite those red flags, Santander adds another powerful bat to the lineup. He should slot behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., giving the Toronto a formidable duo in the third and fourth spots. While the Blue Jays still have work to do if they are going to contend in the AL East, adding Santander is a good place to start.
