The Toronto Blue Jays lastly discovered somebody prepared to take their cash.
MLB Community’s Jon Morosi reported that the Blue Jays and Anthony Santander are in settlement on a contract. Ari Alexander from KPRC 2 Houston reported that Santander will obtain a five-year deal value a minimum of $92.5 million.
The Blue Jays have had several near misses of their makes an attempt to deliver a prime free agent to Toronto. Pitchers Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki, outfielder Juan Soto and two-way star Shohei Ohtani had reportedly thought of signing with the Blue Jays solely to finish up elsewhere.
These disappointments didn’t dissuade Toronto from pursuing different prime free brokers. The Blue Jays and Santander had reportedly been making progress on a contract over the weekend. This time, they have been in a position to seal the deal.
Ranked because the 12th-best free agent per FanGraphs, Santander was the most effective pure energy hitters available on the market. He produced a .235/308/.506 batting line in his 665 plate appearances final season, hitting 44 homers and 25 doubles. Santander made his first All-Star Sport and gained his first Silver Slugger award.
The Blue Jays newest signing does have flaws. He’s among the slowest players in the majors, rating within the 18th percentile in dash velocity. He’ll doubtless should be moved to first base or designated hitter earlier than his contract is over. Santander additionally posted a 17.1 percent home run to fly ball rate, a probable unsustainable quantity.
Regardless of these purple flags, Santander provides one other highly effective bat to the lineup. He ought to slot behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., giving the Toronto a formidable duo within the third and fourth spots. Whereas the Blue Jays nonetheless have work to do if they’re going to contend within the AL East, including Santander is an efficient place to start out.
