TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays, who Friday missed out on coveted right-hander Roki Sasaki, were discussing a potential deal with free-agent slugger Anthony Santander, according to two industry sources.
A switch-hitting outfielder who hit a career-best 44 home runs last season, the 30-year-old would provide a middle-of-the-order bat to support Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a lineup that needs the boost.
Talks are believed to have picked up between the sides Friday morning.
Santander started 129 games in right field for the Baltimore Orioles last year, but he also has 90 career games in left field, where the Blue Jays are unsettled.
Sasaki announced via Instagram on Friday that he was joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the latest near-miss heartbreak for the Blue Jays. Earlier Friday, they added $2 million in additional international bonus pool room from Cleveland, taking on outfielder Myles Straw and roughly $12 million of what he’s owed through 2026 to get it done.
The Blue Jays have all of 2025 to use that pool space and they’ll soon begin finalizing deals with international players they had handshake agreements with, but had put on hold while waiting for Sasaki’s decision.
