According to Varsho, Santander at first told him that when they met he stated that he wouldn't be taking number 25 but then right before his press conference told him that he was taking his number after all, never asking for his opinion.
«The next day, he had his press conference, he's like, 'Hey, I'm taking your number.' I was like, 'Oh, okay,'» Varsho explained. «So our clubhouse manager said, 'Hey, we need to figure out what your number is because Tony's going to take 25.'» -Varsho
Varsho also added that Santander recently told him that he would be getting him a gift for taking his number but that he has yet to receive anything as he is still waiting.
«He got me something the week before I got back [from injury]. He was down in Florida, and he said he got me something,» Varsho said. «I don't know what it is yet, but we'll see.» -Varsho
The strange part in all of this is that Santander never asked Varsho if he could have number 25, instead he simply just told him he was taking it then months later told him he would get him a gift in exchange.
Varsho seems to not have taken how things played out to heart but it is certainly a strange way of kicking things off with a new team as the way Santander went about it could definitely be seen as disrespectful.
The number change from 25 to 5 clearly has worked for Varsho as he has been on fire at the plate this season with 12 homeruns in 33 games to go along with 31 RBIs and a .236 batting average.