Anthony Santander is staying in the American League East, but he won’t but staying in Baltimore or relocating to Boston.
Santander is set to sign a free-agent deal with the Blue Jays, according to multiple reports Monday. Once the power-hitting outfielder passes a physical in Toronto, he will ink a five-year deal worth “more than $90 million,” per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The 30-year-old was widely expected to cash in on an expensive long-term contract shortly after Juan Soto joined the New York Mets in early December. The Red Sox were rumored to have “strong interest” in Santander after losing the Soto sweepstakes, but the buzz seemed to diminish as the offseason unfolded. Boston, however, still needs to address its “top priority:” an impactful right-handed bat.
Santander’s free agency lasted longer than most expected. Not only did he not land a deal in the immediate aftermath of Soto’s decision, but the 2024 All-Star also lingered on the open market for roughly three weeks after fellow slugging righty Teoscar Hernández latched back on with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The reported pact with the Blue Jays wasn’t very surprising, as Toronto effectively was begging a top free agent to take its money this offseason. The Red Sox will see plenty of Santander over the next five years, and time will tell if Boston made the right decision to lighten up on its pursuit of him.
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Tommy Gilligan/Imagn Images
