One of the names that has been generating the Blue Jays/ interest early in the new year is free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander. Per MLB Insider Héctor Gómez, the Blue Jays have emerged as frontrunners for the 30-year-old switch hitter. Furthermore, Gómez also reported that he’s hearing Toronto’s offer is currently 4 years and $82 million. Santander and the Blue Jays have been linked for the majority of the offseason and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported last month that the Blue Jays “badly covet” him.

Santander would fill a major hole for the Blue Jays. Since 2022, the Blue Jays have had only two 30-home run hitters, both of which being Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto generated only 12 home runs and a .689 OPS from the cleanup spot last season, two figures in which Santander eclipsed in 59 games batting fourth. Despite seeing a dip in batting average, Santander had one of the best seasons of his career last season, posting 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 25 doubles with a .814 OPS.

A campaign of that calibre came at a perfect time for him as this is his first bout with free agency, although it would make sense for some teams to be weary of signing someone to a long-term deal when their best season could potentially be behind them. However, the rumoured offer of 4 years at $82 million is comparable to what Hernández got with the Dodgers (3 years at $66 million), and the Blue Jays were also interested in him before he re-signed with LA. If that four-year deal is what Santander and his representation decide to take, it would keep him in Toronto until his 34-year-old season. That’d be good business for the Blue Jays although Toronto would lose a draft pick as compensation for signing the Venezuelan product.

Blue Jays reportedly submit four-year offer to Anthony Santander

Gómez reported that the Angels, Tigers, Astros, Mets, and Orioles are also involved in pursuing Santander, and it comes with plenty of reason. Baltimore has some familiarity as Santander spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Orioles (although they may not be interested after signing Tyler O’Neill), Houston might still be looking to reload their batting order after trading Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, and Detroit, who signed Gleyber Torres just a matter of days ago, have started to get active in free agency fresh off of a trip to the ALDS.