Although there was interest from other teams in signing Anthony Santander, the Toronto Blue Jays ultimately took the lead, securing the slugger with a five-year, $90 million contract. However, Yankees fans have reason to feel optimistic about their rivals’ latest move. While Santander is a formidable hitter, this acquisition highlights Toronto’s recent struggles to land elite talent, despite having one of MLB’s wealthiest ownership groups.
Yankees benefit as Blue Jays take a risk on Anthony Santander
After missing out on Shohei Ohtani last offseason and falling short in bids for Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki this year, the Blue Jays settled for Santander, a 30-year-old designated hitter with limited defensive value. Though he adds power to Toronto’s lineup, his negative defensive WAR raises questions about the wisdom of committing $18.5 million annually to a player who only recently played his first full season in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have prioritized marquee signings to strengthen their roster and hinder competitors. Their acquisition of Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million deal at the Winter Meetings is a prime example. While costly, it secured a premier talent and prevented rival teams from bolstering their pitching rotations. Unlike Toronto, the Yankees avoided letting negotiations drag on and risk losing out, as seen in past cases like Blake Snell.
Toronto’s approach contrasts sharply with New York’s calculated aggression. The Blue Jays’ fleeting periods of success—bolstered by drafting the sons of MLB legends like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio—have yet to translate into postseason triumphs. Despite signing players such as Kevin Gausman, George Springer, and Chris Bassitt, the team hasn’t advanced past the Wild Card round since 2016.
Adding to the frustration for Blue Jays fans is the organization’s conservative spending habits. Despite being the league’s second-richest ownership group, Toronto operates more like a mid-market team. This offseason’s signing of Santander seems more like a reactionary move than a strategic step forward.
Santander’s deal also raises concerns about Toronto’s ability to retain key players like Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, whose long-term futures remain uncertain. With Guerrero Jr. eligible for free agency in a few years, failing to extend him before Opening Day would leave the team vulnerable to losing its cornerstone talent.
The Yankees, while not as dominant as during their dynasty years, continue to leverage their market appeal to stay competitive. By contrast, the Blue Jays’ patchwork approach to roster construction risks leaving them stuck in mediocrity.
There’s potential for Toronto to make a playoff push in 2025, given their roster’s talent. However, without a clear strategy or long-term vision, moves like the Santander signing could signify more struggles ahead for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in nearly a decade.
For Yankees fans, this misstep by a division rival only reinforces their team’s position as a more calculated and consistent contender in the AL East.
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