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Orioles' Free Agent Has $82 Million Offer From AL East Rival: Report

Orioles' Free Agent Has $82 Million Offer From AL East Rival: Report

By Kevin Harson

Lifestyle

Anthony Santander hit a career-high 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in his final season before free agency. Now, as the calendar turns to 2025, he's still waiting to learn where he'll play next season and beyond.

Santander, who's spent his entire career in the Orioles' organization, including the last eight years in the big leagues, has drawn interest from six teams including Baltimore, according to a new report Wednesday from Hector Gomez.

More news: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Shades Blue Jays' Latest Contract Offer

Santander's top offer resides not in Baltimore, but in Toronto. Gomez reports the Blue Jays are the frontrunner to sign the Venezuelan outfielder with a four-year, $82 million offer. The Angels, Tigers, Astros, Mets and Orioles have also shown interest in Santander, according to Gomez.

The Orioles' biggest move to this point in the offseason was to sign another slugging outfielder, Tyler O'Neill, to a three-year, $49.5 million contract with an opt-out after the 2025 season. O'Neill, 29, hit 31 homers with 61 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox in 2024.

Baltimore's other additions have come around the margins of their roster. Starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, signed a one-year, $13 million contract. Gary Sanchez, who projects as the backup to starting catcher Adley Rutschman, signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract.

Baltimore Orioles Anthony Santander
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after hitting the game winning two-run home run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park... BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after hitting the game winning two-run home run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 19, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Santander has a four-year, $82 million offer from Toronto. More Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

To keep Santander, the Orioles will have to step up to compete with Toronto, which has so far missed out in its pursuits of free agent outfielders Juan Soto and Teoscar Hernández. Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, while Hernández has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million contract.

The Blue Jays are coming off a disappointing 74-88 season. They face the prospect of losing first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette to free agency in a year. Taking advantage of what could be their final season in Toronto is understandabl a priority, and the outfield was a primary culprit of the Blue Jays' struggles in 2024.

More news: Orioles Interested in Dodgers' Midseason Pickup Who Keyed World Series Run

Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer each recorded an OPS of .700 or lower last season. The Blue Jays' biggest acquisition of the offseason, Andres Gimenez, is a second baseman. Signing Santander could allow the Jays to move Schneider into a utility role, while also offering opposing pitchers a power threat besides Guerrero.

It would also deprive the division-rival Orioles of one of their top hitters. Santander, 30, has 155 home runs and 435 RBIs over the last eight seasons, all with Baltimore.

For more MLB news, visitNewsweek Sports.

Originally published by newsweek.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Grazia British.

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