The Toronto Blue Jays are on the cusp of greatness, yet they find themselves in need of that final spark to ignite their playoff hopes and seize the AL East title. Enter Anthony Santander, a power bat who could be the game-changer they need.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 25-year-old phenom, is the cornerstone of this young team. His impressive .323 batting average last season, along with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, and 103 RBIs, underscores his capabilities.
Yet, frustratingly, his brilliance has not translated to team success. With Bo Bichette experiencing a downturn and George Springer showing signs of wear at 35, the supporting cast hasn’t quite lived up to its potential.
While the team managed to rank sixth in strikeouts per game and 13th in on-base percentage, they faltered in essential areas like home runs, runs per game, and slugging percentage. This inconsistency is a concern that adding a slugger like Anthony Santander can address.
Santander’s presence could relieve some pressure off Guerrero Jr., preventing potential unrest should the young star feel his efforts are underutilized.
So, what makes Santander such a tantalizing prospect for the Blue Jays? His breakout year was nothing short of electrifying, earning him a well-deserved spot in the All-Star squad and a Silver Slugger award. With 44 home runs—placing him third in MLB—and a top 15 finish in both slugging percentage and RBIs, he proved to be a force at the plate.
For a team like the Blue Jays, who have fielded a solid defensive outfield—ranking tenth in WAR despite needing to fill the gap left by the retiring Kevin Kiermaier—a designated hitter like Santander could be pivotal.
With Daulton Varsho’s elite fielding skills and George Springer’s reliability, integrating Santander into the heart of the lineup could significantly boost their offensive prowess.
His ability to drive in runs could be just what the Blue Jays need to overcome last season’s scoring struggles and finally harness their abundant talent.