The Blue Jays are bridesmaids no more.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that outfielder Anthony Santander and the Blue Jays agreed on a deal pending physical. Jeff Passan of ESPN noted the deal is for five years and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic notes the total amount of the contract is $92.5 million. There is a club option for a sixth year, and Santander can opt out after the third year. However, the Blue Jays can void the opt out and make the deal six-years, $110 million.
Santander, 30, was one of the best remaining free agents on the market after Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. The switch hitter spent his eight-year career with the Orioles, producing a .246/.307/.469/.776 line while hitting 155 home runs and tallying 435 RBIs. The outfielder had his best year in 2024, mashing a career-high home runs (44), RBIs (102), runs (91) and games played (155). He made his first All-Star team in 2024, won his first Silver Slugger Award, and finished the season with MVP votes.
The news is intriguing for Mets fans, as Santander was on the Mets’ radar as recently as a few days ago. This was in the event of Pete Alonso not returning, which the Mets were planning on. However, things get interesting because the Blue Jays were reportedly linked to the slugging first baseman. Of course, the Blue Jays have been linked to almost every high-profile free agent this offseason. But with the Blue Jays signing Santander, the market for Alonso grows narrower by the day. In the end, while a door to the Mets seemed slim days ago, it might be opening back up.
