The Toronto Blue Jays were not able to land Teoscar Hernández in free agency. He returned to the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million deal with a fourth-year option. The team could target a different All-Star slugger now.
While listing moves the Blue Jays could make after missing out on Hernández, FanSided’s Chris Landers urged the team to sign Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander.
“Santander should be licking his chops now, as Hernández signing means that he’s the last impact outfield bat remaining on the free-agent market. If Hernandez got three years and $66 million, then Santander, who’s younger and a switch-hitter, should rightful be pushing for nine figures, and he just might get it,” wrote Landers.
There is not much reason to believe the Blue Jays can convince Santander to sign with them. They failed to land Juan Soto and Hernández. Santander won’t be cheap, but if the Blue Jays want to compete in a division with the Orioles, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees they may have to overpay if that’s what it takes to land Santander.
“Santander checks a ton of boxes for Toronto, a lefty source of power who can play a corner outfield spot or moonlight at DH, and it’s hard to see how the Jays compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles in 2025 without adding a 30-homer bat to the middle of the lineup,” wrote Landers.
Santander was an All-Star for the first time last season and also won his first Silver Slugger. He hit 44 home runs last season and had 102 RBIs. His batting average was just .235, but he brings serious power from the left side of the plate. 32 of his 44 home runs came as a lefty.