The Toronto Blue Jays lastly landed a high-profile free agent on Monday, including Anthony Santander to their highly effective lineup, based on an individual with direct data of the settlement.
The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the contract was pending a bodily. There was no speedy phrase on the cash or size of the deal. Nevertheless, Subject Stage Media reported it is a five-year contract price over $90 million US.
Toronto made a play for Shohei Ohtani final yr and was within the combine for Juan Soto earlier than he joined the New York Mets in December. The Blue Jays additionally have been reportedly one of many finalists for Roki Sasaki earlier than the Japanese pitcher agreed to his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However they managed to place Santander of their lineup alongside Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Santander set profession highs with 44 homers, 102 runs batted in and 91 runs scored in 155 video games for Baltimore final yr. The outfielder batted .235 with a .506 slugging share whereas making the American all-star crew for the primary time.
Santander, who turned 30 in October, was the majors’ first swap hitter to achieve 40 homers since 2006. He turned the fourth swap hitter to hit not less than 44 homers in a season, becoming a member of Mickey Mantle (twice), Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones.
The Venezuelan slugger helped Baltimore get into the playoffs for the second straight yr, however it was swept by Kansas Metropolis within the opening spherical.
Santander signed with Cleveland as a global free agent in July 2011. He was chosen by Baltimore within the Rule 5 draft in December 2016.
After being sidelined by proper elbow irritation, he made his main league debut with the Orioles on Aug 18, 2017, however he solely appeared in 13 video games that first yr.
Santander had a breakout efficiency in 2022, batting .240 with 33 homers and 89 RBI in 152 video games. He stamped himself as a part of an rising group of younger gamers because the Orioles went 83-79 after dropping 110 video games within the earlier season.
Santander hit .257 with 28 homers, 95 RBIs and a career-high 41 doubles as Baltimore gained the 2023 AL East title with a 101-61 file. The Orioles then have been swept by the Rangers of their AL Division Collection.
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