Blue Jays, Santander agree to 5-year, $92.5M deal
The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, his agency announced Monday.
Congratulations to Anthony Santander who has signed with the Toronto @BlueJays on a 5 year contract worth $92.5M which contains an opt out clause and an escalated option provision that can make the deal worth 6 years $110M. pic.twitter.com/OBfhdH02wy
— Beverly Hills Sports Council (@BHSCouncil) January 20, 2025
Santander is the Blue Jays' biggest acquisition of the offseason after the club missed out on its pursuits of Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki.
The Blue Jays will lose their second-highest draft pick in 2025 and $500,000 in international bonus pool space for 2026 since Santander received a qualifying offer from the Orioles, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
The contract also contains more than $35 million in deferred money, a source told KPRC's Ari Alexander.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a career season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. Santander slashed .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 25 doubles, and 102 RBIs across 155 games.
Santander will look to provide the Blue Jays with a proven middle-of-the-order bat after the club finished the 2024 campaign 26th in home runs (156) and 17th in OPS (.702). He should immediately slot into the cleanup spot and form a potent offensive duo alongside Blue Jays All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Santander will likely patrol left field alongside Gold Glove winner Daulton Varsho in center field and veteran George Springer in right.