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Toronto Blue Jays get unfortunate update on Anthony Santander
The Toronto Blue Jays are in the mix chasing some big time free agents but the latest update on Anthony Santander does not make them look too good.
The Blue Jays have been linked to multiple free agents such as Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber and even Pete Fairbanks so far this off-season.
Blue Jays Anthony Santander deal looking worse by the day
The Blue Jays signed Santander last off-season to a 5 year deal worth $92.5 million which most thought was not the best deal and after the 2025 season, it continues to look worse and worse.
MLB analyst Cody Stavenhagen spoke on Santander in a recent report stating how bad the Blue Jays deal looks heading into 2025 especially when looking at the current free agent market.
Santander had arguably one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025 as he dealt with a bunch of injuries and finished with 6 home runs and a .175 batting average in only 54 games played.
The Blue Jays have chased many big-ticket free agents hard in recent years,» Stavenhagen wrote. «Most of them chose to sign elsewhere (though Dylan Cease recently joined up on a long-term deal). Santander took Toronto's money. But the Blue Jays made the World Series largely in spite of Santander's first season in Canada. Santander played only 54 games in his age-30 season. He hit .175 with six home runs. Left shoulder inflammation plagued him for most of the season, and a back injury even made for a premature end to his postseason. -Stavenhagen
Stavenhagen did mention that there is a chance that Santander could bounce back next season if he is able to stay healthy but with his continuous struggles last season, he has a big hill to climb if he wants to have a great year next season.
Santander has a chance to rebound if he can stay healthy in 2026. But his lifetime on-base percentage is only .305, and he provides little defensive value. It's a risky profile and one the Blue Jays might be stuck with for the next four seasons. The deferred money makes it a bit easier to swallow for now. But it will feel worse in the future if Santander can't turn it around. -Stavenhagen
When looking back at last off-season, the Blue Jays missed out on a bunch of top free agents such as Juan Soto which is why they ending up settling for Santander.
While most expected Santander to have a down year in 2025 after his career year in 2024, no one expected things to be this bad, especially the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays need Santander to bounce back next season because if not they will really be stuck with him as they will not be able to trade him with such a massive annual salary if he continues to play poorly.
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