Anthony Santander opens up about choosing Blue Jays for $92,500,000 contract

The Toronto Blue Jays added a powerful bat to the roster by signing All-Star free agent Anthony Santander on Monday. Santander's free agency extended more than anyone would've expected but the star outfielder is ready to bring his experience to Toronto.

Santander and the Blue Jays agreed to a five-year deal worth $92,500,000 with an opt-out and an option for an additional sixth year. The 30-year-old outfielder is coming off a career-best 44 home run year with the Baltimore Orioles and is expected to hit behind franchise star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The former Orioles star's name was linked with several teams in his free agency and when asked about what influenced his decision to join Toronto, Santander said:

"They have a pretty good team, they want to win and they want to get back to the playoffs. It’s important to me to make that move. There’s a winning mentality. The city is great. The environment at Rogers Centre is amazing."

While the Blue Jays failed to make the postseason last year, Santander made it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons with the Orioles and is ready to share that experience with his new teammates.

"I’m going to bring what I learned in Baltimore the last two years, being in the playoffs, and share that with my new brothers here,” Santander said.

Anthony Santander finds familiar faces at Blue Jays

Anthony Santander made his MLB debut for the Orioles in 2017 and remained with the team till the conclusion of the 2024 season. While he will be playing for a new team in Toronto in 2025, Santander has a couple of familiar faces at his new franchise.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins was the director of player personnel when Santander was signed by the Cleveland Guardians in 2011. First base coach Mark Budzinski was his manager at Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats in 2016.

"Ross believed in me when I was in Cleveland,” Santander said. “He trusted me as a person, as a player in those times when I had a lot of injuries. He always tried to push me to develop me as a player, and that gave me comfort. Thank you, Ross.

"With Mark [Budzinski], he was my manager and a great guy, a great person. He always pushed me through my injuries and gave me an opportunity to play every day. We always had good communication to stay on the field. Thank you, Mark, too, and I’m going to see you soon.”

Although Spring Training is around the corner, the Blue Jays could make another splash this offseason with MLB insider Mark Feinsand hinting at a potential move for All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.