Sports

Blue Jays finally land big free agent

Photo Credit: Blue Jays/X

A little ‘boys of summer’ news broke Monday afternoon as Niagara and much of Canada are suffering through another Polar Vortex.

The news that broke involved Canada’s only major league baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

A few hours later the word ‘ignominious’ appeared on my smartphone describing the Blue Jays off-season thus far.

Ignominious – definition: deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.

You see, the Jays have been ‘in’ on every big-name free agent out there, but they struck out on slugger Juan Soto, and pitchers Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki.

So when Monday’s news came across the transaction wire it was a bit of an aha moment for many Toronto fans.

Outfielder/Designated Hitter, switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander had agreed on a five-year $92.5-million contract. Reportedly with another year option, to make it a $110-million deal.

The 30-year Venezuelan hit 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs with the Baltimore Orioles last season.

There’s no doubt that Santander’s power is much needed in for the most part struggling Blue Jays lineup last season.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the Jays with 30 homers and 103 runs batted in. No one else eclipsed 20 homers or 60 RBI.

By the way, In case you hadn’t heard, Guerrero Jr. and Toronto avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year $28.5-million contract for 2025.

Getting back to Santander, so called baseball experts and pundits are criticizing the Jays already for potentially overpaying for Santander.

However, looking at his numbers he has averaged 35 home runs and 95 RBI the past three seasons, the power potential is evident.

Later Monday, there was speculation that Toronto was in the mix to sign veteran pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

Here’s a look at the Blue Jays potential opening day batting order following the addition of Anthony Santander.

1 George Springer RF

2 Bo Bichette SS

3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B

4 Anthony Santander LF (newly acquired – free agent)

5 Will Wagner DH

6 Alejandro Kirk C

7 Andres Gimenez 2B (newly acquired – via trade)

8 Dalton Varsho CF

9 Ernie Clement 3B

As for the Blue Jays starting rotation. As of today it remains intact from 2024

Kevin Gausman

Jose Berrios

Chris Bassitt

Bowden Francis

Yariel Rodriguez

Jeff Hoffman is the Blue Jays replacement for Canadian closer Jordan Romano who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies this off-season. But the Hoffman signing didn’t come without controversy either as reports surfaced the former Philly himself failed physicals with both Baltimore and Atlanta.

Will see how Hoffman pans out in Toronto, either way, perhaps the Santander signing will bring so much needed attention and respect to a franchise that desperately needs it.

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