Blue Jays Eye Anthony Santander as They Bolster Roster for 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays are making strategic moves in the offseason, showing interest in free agent outfielder Anthony Santander, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. In addition to Santander, the Blue Jays are pursuing top pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, aligning with their previous connections to top free agent starters such as Fried and Blake Snell.

Why Santander Makes Sense
Santander is a logical target for the Blue Jays. MLBTR’s Anthony Franco had already predicted Santander to sign with Toronto in their Top 50 Free Agents list earlier this month. The Blue Jays are in need of an outfielder with a powerful bat, and Santander fits that bill perfectly.

Current Outfield Scenario
At present, the Blue Jays have George Springer and Daulton Varsho as the primary outfielders. However, Varsho underwent shoulder surgery in September and might miss the start of the 2025 season. Springer, now 35, has seen a steady decline in his wRC+ over the past five years, from 155 in 2019 to just 95 in the most recent season.

In addition to Springer and Varsho, the Blue Jays have several other outfield options on their 40-man roster, including Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, Davis Schneider, Addison Barger, and Steward Berroa. However, there is a lack of certainty and proven performance among these players. Schneider, for example, is the only one with more than 81 big league games under his belt, and he’s coming off a frustrating season. This leaves plenty of room for an external addition like Santander.

The Need for Power
The Blue Jays could benefit from more home run power in their lineup. In 2024, the team ranked 26th in the majors for home runs, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being the only player to hit more than 20 homers. Santander, who hit 44 home runs last year and has 105 homers over the past three seasons, could provide the power boost they need. His switch-hitting ability would also complement the right-handed bats of Guerrero, Springer, Bo Bichette, and Alejandro Kirk.

Defensive Considerations
While Santander is not known for his defense, his offensive production could offset any defensive shortcomings. He has slashed .244/.317/.478 over the past three years, resulting in a 124 wRC+. Additionally, the Blue Jays do not have a full-time designated hitter, which could allow them to mitigate the impact of his defensive limitations.

Backup Plan for Juan Soto
It seems that Santander might be a fallback option if the Blue Jays do not succeed in landing Juan Soto. The Blue Jays are one of the teams still in the mix for Soto, with offers expected to come in this week.

​As the Blue Jays continue to make moves in the offseason, their pursuit of players like Santander and top pitchers highlights their commitment to strengthening the roster for a competitive 2025 season.