What Anthony Santander Likes About the Blue Jays That No One Else Does

(Screenshot from Sportsnet)

On Monday, Anthony Santander became the first high profile free agent to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Venezuelan born outfielder agreed to a 5-year, $92.5 million contract. 

Santander had played his entire 8-year MLB career with the Jays' AL East division rival Baltimore Orioles. In 2024, Santander belted a career best 44 HR and 102 RBI. He enters 2025 a .246 career hitter with 155 HR and 435 RBI.

So why did he do it?

Free agents have been avoiding Toronto like the plague. The Blue Jays have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki this offseason. Sasaki signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (well, who hasn't lately?). It was to quote Yogi Berra "a case of déja vu all over again" as Shohei Ohtani chose the Dodgers over the Blue Jays a year ago and now Ohtani has a World Series ring to show for it.

What makes Anthony Santander different from everyone else?

It isn't like Santander didn't have options. Both the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels were interested in Santander's services. But there is a combination of things. There is the connection with the Jays front office as GM Ross Atkins signed Santander while he was with the Cleveland Indians. There is a strong Venezuelan connection as Santander is close friends with former MLB catcher Victor Martinez who is now also in the Jays front office. Santander also calls the Rogers Center his favorite ballpark. 

Although I wonder why. In 27 career games at the Rogers Centre, Santander is a career .194 hitter with 6 HR and 16 RBI. However, 7 of those games were played in 2024 and Santander hit .248 with 4 HR and 7 RBI.

Then again perhaps there is something about Rogers Centre and Toronto at large that goes beyond baseball for Anthony Santander. That something is why Santander signed with Toronto. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani had no connection to Toronto beyond baseball. Good luck in finding another free agent who has Santander's affinity for Toronto.