"Last offseason, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year $92 million deal. At the time, it seemed like Santander would be a big asset for the Blue Jays. He was coming off an All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles, during which he hit 44 home runs and had an .814 OPS. While 2024 was a breakout year for Santander, he'd consistently shown the ability to hit for power."
"From 2019 to 2023, he hit at least 20 home runs in three of the five seasons. The only exceptions were in the shortened 2020 season, when he hit 11 in 37 games, and in 2021, when he hit 18. It's hard to imagine a worse year for Santander."
"He played only 54 regular-season games, during which he batted .175 with six home runs and a .565 OPS. Santander missed three months with a shoulder injury. He returned for the final four games of the regular season, and then continued to struggle in the postseason. He had three hits, all singles, in 15 at-bats. Perhaps the reason for his struggles was that he was still injured. Santander was removed from the Blue Jays' ALCS roster ahead of Game 4 against the Seattle Mariners due to lower back inflammation which effectively ended his season."
The 2025 Blue Jays achieved success largely because nearly every roster member contributed, but several high-cost players underperformed relative to their contracts. Anthony Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal after a 44-home-run All-Star season and a strong power track record from 2019–2023. Santander played only 54 regular-season games in 2025, hit .175 with six homers and a .565 OPS, missed three months with a shoulder injury, and continued to struggle in the postseason. Lower back inflammation led to his removal from the ALCS roster and an effectively ended season. The Blue Jays expect improved value from him in 2026.
Read at Jays Journal
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