Anthony Santander: A Coveted Power Bat in Free Agency

As one of the top power hitters available this offseason, free agent slugger Anthony Santander has attracted interest from a variety of teams, including the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have also expressed interest in Santander, especially now that Juan Soto has joined the Mets. The longtime Baltimore Orioles slugger is reportedly seeking a five-year contract in free agency.

Santander is coming off a career-best season, in which he hit a personal record of 44 home runs. Heading into his age-30 season, he boasts a .235/.308/.506 batting line, translating to a 129 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus). While his batting average is not particularly high, and his walk rate is fairly average, Santander has been a reliable source of power for the Orioles in recent years.

Since 2020, Santander has posted a .245/.312/.476 batting line, hitting 134 home runs with a 7.8% walk rate and a 20.6% strikeout rate. This past season, his 8.7% walk rate was the best of his career, and his 19.4% strikeout rate was his second-lowest in a full 162-game season.

Santander's power and consistency have made him a sought-after player in the free agent market. With several teams vying for his talents, the competition is heating up as he seeks a long-term contract. Given his performance and potential, it is no surprise that top teams are lining up to secure his services for the upcoming seasons.