Blue Jays making progress on Santander, still in the mix for Alonso
The Toronto Blue Jays are still discussing a deal with power-hitting OFAnthony Santander and still interested in Pete Alonso.
The Toronto Blue Jays are making progress with free agent outfielder Anthony Santander, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith also reported that a deal was getting closer.
Earlier in the offseason, KPRC's Ari Alexander reported that the Blue Jays extended an offer to Santander, but the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers were also interested in the switch-hitter.
Santander slashed .235/.308/.506 last season, and set career-high marks with 44 home runs and 102 RBI to help him earn an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger award.
The switch-hitting 30-year-old outfielder would provide a middle-of-the-order bat to support Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a lineup that needs the boost.
Santander started 129 games in right field for the Baltimore Orioles last year, but he also has 90 career games in left field, where the Blue Jays are unsettled.
Toronto has also been eyeing Pete Alonso, alongside ''significant'' starters and relievers following their failed pursuit of Roki Sasaki, according to Heyman.
The Tampa native reportedly turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension from the Mets, and is said to be looking at a deal resembling the nine-year, $214 million contract Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2012.
Alonso posted a .788 OPS with 34 home runs and 88 RBI for the New York Mets in 162 games last season, and was selected to the All-Star team for the fourth time in his career.
If Alonso were to sign with the Blue Jays, he would likely split time between first base and DH with Guerrero in 2025; Vladimir Guerrero Jr could additionally be used at third base, although he only played 12 games there last season and was atrocious when he played it full-time in 2019 (-20 outs above average, -3 defensive runs saved, -15 fielding runs).
Hopefully the Blue Jays can get something done soon to alleviate some of the pressure on this lineup in 2025 and it's fans who are weary at this point in the offseason from so many near misses.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 19 | 264 ANSWERS Blue Jays making progress on Santander, still in the mix for Alonso Should the Blue Jays sign Anthony Santander and Pete Alonso? | ||
| Yes | 215 | 81.4 % |
| No | 15 | 5.7 % |
| Just Santander | 30 | 11.4 % |
| Just Alonso | 4 | 1.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
