Jan. 21, 2025

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

After months of speculation and rumours, the Toronto Blue Jays got their man.

One of them, at least.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins joined Anthony Santander in meeting with the media on Tuesday afternoon to discuss his new contract and expectations heading into spring training next month.

Atkins began by acknowledging one of the team’s worst kept secrets.

“We had a jersey floating around our office with your name on it all offseason,” Atkins said.

“From Day 1, we expressed interest and we felt that was reciprocated.”

Taking a page out of the Los Angeles Dodgers playbook, one that’s burned the Blue Jays before, Atkins got creative with Santander’s deal to ensure flexibility remains with less than 30 days to go before pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin.

The five-year deal is worth $92.5 million but includes significant deferrals that lowers the overall impact on the competitive balance tax.

“Every situation is different, I can’t remember the specific date of when we brought up certain aspects,” Atkins said of discussing deferrals during the negotiation process. “It was a lot of work, there was a lot of time spent making sure we got it right for Anthony and that it made sense for both of us.”

As has been a common theme in many of Atkins’ moves, his connection with Santander pre-dates the outfielder’s time in Baltimore and began with Cleveland where he signed as an international free agent in 2011.

Blue Jays first-base coach Mark Budzinski was also his manager during his time with the class-A Lynchburg Hillcats before he burst onto the big-league scene in 2017 after being a Rule V draft pick by the Orioles.

“With Ross, he believed in me when I was in Cleveland,” Santander said. “He trusts me as a person and a player.

“With Mark, he was my manager, a great guy, a great person. He gave me the opportunity to play everyday single day and always had good communication.”

Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) and Alek Manoah, the latter of whom worked out in the same facility as Santander this offseason, had indirect impacts on bringing him north of the border.

There’s also familiarity with newly acquired infielder Andres Gimenez, who he played with during the World Baseball Classic with Team Venezuela.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Vladdy,” Santander said through a translator.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a powerful duo and I know we’re going to do a lot of damage. I talked to Vladdy and he was very emotional, very excited.”

While adding a 44-home run hitter to a lineup that lacked power in 2024 is certainly a step in the right direction, Atkins said the front office will continue to look for ways to improve the team.

When asked about taking on Myles Straw’s $12 million contract in a failed pursuit of RHP Roki Sasaki from Japan and how that might impact future deals, Atkins was blunt.

“Zero,” he said.

“Zero impact.”

As for what could be coming as the Blue Jays look to fight for a playoff spot in a loaded American League East, only time will tell.

“We’ll continue to try and add to this team if there’s a way to do it,” Atkins said.

“We have a pretty good understanding of what is there and what is available to us. As they become more real, we’ll present those and hopefully have avenues to improve our team.”