Santander: Orioles' offer in free agency 'wasn't even close'
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Anthony Santander said he and the Baltimore Orioles never came close to a reunion in free agency.
"Nah, zero chance," Santander said when asked if accepting the three-year deal they offered him was ever a real possibility, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
"Zero chance at all. They (made) an offer, but it wasn't even close. We get it, we understand. It's a business side. (GM Mike Elias) is really smart about it. We're smart about it, too. You have to be patient, and Toronto gave me an opportunity."
Santander joined the division-rival Blue Jays on a five-year, $92.5-million contract that includes a club option for a sixth year.
The 30-year-old cashed in after hitting a career-high 44 home runs in 2024 with the Orioles. He drove in 100 runs for the first time while posting his second-best OPS+ (134) in a season.
Baltimore, meanwhile, inked outfielder Tyler O'Neill to a three-year, $49.5-million contract that features an opt-out after 2025. He hit 31 home runs in 113 games for the Boston Red Sox last year.
Santander owns a .776 OPS (114 OPS+) through eight MLB campaigns.