Blue Jays taking a long look at Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes.
The Toronto Blue Jays are very interested in free agent switch hitter Anthony Santander as reported by Bob Nightingale of USA Today.
'Tony Taters' as he was affectionately called in birdland hit .235 had 44 home runs, 102 rbi and 140 hits for the Orioles last season.
Santander went from a rule 5 pick from the then Cleveland Indians to an all-star in 2024.
A switch hitting established MLB outfielder with pop makes sense for the Blue Jays to compliment Daulton Varsho and George Springer.
Varsho underwent shoulder surgery in September and won't be ready for the start of the season, while Springer has slowly been regressing at the plate since 2020.
I know what youre thinking, what about outfielders Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, Joey Loperfido, Addison Barger, Jonaton Clase and Steward Berroa?
Unfortunately these guys are not established outfielders yet. They're all options on the 40-man, but not much certainty there. IF/OF Davis Schneider looked good in his debut in 2023, but was below average in 2024. The Blue Jays don't have time in 2025 for Schneider to figure it out.
In my opinion most of the aforementioned players including Schneider, will most likely be parts of trades in the upcoming future or those with options will play in Buffalo in 2025.
The Blue Jays are in win now mode especially with Ross Atkins in a contract year.
Santander has 105 home runs in the past 3 seasons, 6th in that window only behind Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber Pete Alonso and Matt Olsen.
Bob Nightengale also mentions that the Blue Jays are pursuing starting pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell in recent weeks.
Toronto has veteran top three starters in their rotation, Kevin Gausman, José Berrios and Chris Bassitt all under contract for 2025. Bowden Francis has definitely turned some heads with his impressive second half in 2024.
Yariel Rodriguez had a few starts in 2024 but seems destined to be a reliever at this point. Rodriguez has plenty of relief experience and the Jays definitely need help in the bullpen.
Jake Bloss and Ricky Tiedmann still need some time in Buffalo but may be options going forward.
Adding a pitcher like Fried, Snell or Burnes would obviously strengthen the rotation but will come with a hefty price tag and term.
It'll be interesting to see who the Blue Jays add to their rotation and bullpen in the upcoming weeks.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 25 | 27 ANSWERS Blue Jays taking a long look at Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes. If the Jays cannot land Juan Soto is Anthony Santander the solution? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 74.1 % |
| No? | 7 | 25.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
