Anthony Santander, the former Baltimore Orioles outfielder, has reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a substantial contract. The deal, confirmed by MLB Network's Jon Morosi, is a five-year agreement worth over $90 million, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This contract includes a club option, indicating the team's commitment to Santander's talents as they look to bolster their roster.

Santander, who is 30 years old, had a standout season in 2024, achieving recognition as a first-time All-Star and winning a Silver Slugger award. He finished the season with a batting average of .235, alongside impressive power numbers that included 44 home runs, 102 runs batted in, and an OPS of .814. His performance over the last three seasons, featuring 33 home runs in 2022 and 28 in 2023, has established him as one of the more formidable sluggers within the American League.

The Orioles were aware of the potential of losing Santander during the offseason and had begun developing contingency plans. General Manager Mike Elias discussed the concerns regarding Santander's free agency in early November, noting the impact losing a right-handed bat could have on the team. In light of Santander's significant contributions in helping the Orioles reach the postseason for the last two years, the franchise now faces the challenge of adjusting to life without one of their most potent offensive weapons. For the Blue Jays, Santander's signing serves as a critical enhancement to their offense, aiming to provide much-needed power in conjunction with their star hitter, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, this contract follows a series of unsuccessful attempts by the Blue Jays to acquire notable players such as Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Rōki Sasaki, leaving some fans feeling that the offseason could still fall short of expectations.