Blue Jays insider explains significant hurdle for Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander in free agency

The MLB offseason has seen several high-profile names find new teams in free agency, but a few players still remain without new teams. All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Anthony Santander are the two players among them.

Despite strong links of a return to his former team, the New York Mets, Pete Alonso and his agent Scott Boras are apart in their negotiations with the franchise. Anthony Santander has also failed to find a new team despite a career-best season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.

Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith talked about the potential hindrance in Alonso and Santander's free agency with Rob Bradford on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. He said (18:00 onwards):

"I think a lot of teams see the flaws in Anthony Santander and are less inclined to jump in big and it's the same with Pete Alonso. This is where like these guys mash and they're probably going to be really good players next year. But if you go by projected WAR, I know this is pretty nerdy stuff, but this is how front offices think, at least the ones that I have heard from and so they're projected for like a 2.5 WAR season.

"So are you really gonna go five years for a guy who, maybe, you know, is probably gonna .780 OPS with 28 home runs? Teams are hesitant to do that."

Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander's free agency prolonged over contract demands

Although the Mets and Pete Alonso's reunion is at a standoff, Scott Boras reportedly proposed a three-year deal with opt-outs after each year to the Mets. Steve Cohen's team has been hesitant to offer a long-term contract, and the new proposal could see them agree.

If Alonso returns to Citi Field for a second stint after 226 home runs in his first, and has a good 2025, he could opt out at the end of next season and get a more lucrative deal, similar to Blake Snell's contract with the Dodgers this offseason.

On the other side, Anthony Santander had a career-high year in 2024, earning his first All-Star nod and his maiden Silver Slugger award. The outfielder declined a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Orioles in November.

Any team signing Anthony Santander will need to give Draft pick compensation to the Orioles, a potential roadblock in his free agency. The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams interested and reportedly tabled a four-year offer. However, the All-Star outfielder is looking for less years on the contract.