Baltimore Orioles star outfielder Anthony Santander is expected to sign a huge contract in free agency this winter.
He wasn’t the top outfielder on the board to start the offseason, but he’s likely the top option left now, which makes him quite the hot commodity.
While the Orioles are likely out of the sweepstakes, there are a few American League rivals still in the hunt to acquire the switch-hitting outfielder.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently predicted the Orioles star would sign a deal with the rival Toronto Blue Jays this winter.
Miller cited Spotrac’s prediction that the deal would be worth $89 million over five years. “The primary teams believed to still be in on Santander are the Blue Jays, Angels, and Red Sox,” Miller wrote.
“We would throw the Giants in that mix, as well, particularly if they don’t sign Flaherty or Alonso.
Both the Royals and the Tigers could also be in play if it’s more of a $50M bidding war than a $100M bidding war. “Toronto still feels like the spot, though.
The Jays desperately need some slugging after a season in which Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was their only player with 20 or more home runs, and both the LF and DH spots in their lineup are relatively up for grabs at the moment.”
The Blue Jays are desperate to add talent.
After whiffing on Juan Soto earlier this offseason, Santander would be a fine consolation prize. Santander slugged 44 home runs last season and would be a much more affordable option.
