2 reasons for Blue Jays to keep Anthony Santander, 2 reasons to move on from him

From 2022-2024, Anthony Santander became one of the best power bats in the majors when he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Santander's 105 home runs over that time certainly made an impact in Baltimore, which piqued the interest of the Toronto Blue Jays. They made a big splash in free agency by signing Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract. The signing of Santander was indented to bring a power bat to a Blue Jays lineup that needed all the help they could get in the power department.

However, Santander's tenure has been awful with a .179 average and just six home runs in his first 50 games with Toronto. Despite that, the Blue Jays are in first place in the American League East and with trade deadline happening this month, moving Santander might need to be given some thought, but then again, there are a couple of reasons to hold on to the 30-year-old switch-hitter.

Blue Jays feeling conflicted about what to do with Anthony Santander

One year into his Blue Jays tenure, Santander is heading into worst free agent signings in franchise history territory. Santander hasn't played since May and his overall impact hasn't benefited the Blue Jays. But even with a low impact in 2025, there still might be reason for the Blue Jays to keep Santander.

Reasons to keep Santander

1. Big contract to take on for 29 other teams

Santander's contract is a large one, something the other 29 MLB teams might not be interested in.
That is where the Blue Jays may have no choice but to eat it for some time. The Blue Jays invested a lot in signing Santander and he was one of the few free agents who signed on the dotted line with Toronto.

Moving on so quickly from a player who actually wanted to play in Toronto would send a bad signal to other free agents, and their agents would have more leverage in future negotiations.

2. Bad luck with multiple injuries

When signing a contract at $92.5 million, a player will rightfully be expected to perform at a high level.
Santander was an All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2024 with the Orioles after hitting 44 home runs and driving in 102 runs in 155 games. It marked the third straight season that Santander had appeared in at least 150 games.

Now in 2025, he's had hip and shoulder issues come up early in the season. He tried to battle through them, but it was clear he wasn't at 100 percent and while battling through it, injured himself again while playing in the outfield.

The Blue Jays should give Santander and themselves the benefit of the doubt about how he has performed while injured and see what he can give them when he's actually playing at 100 percent full health.

Reasons not to keep Santander

1. They have been better all around without him

Santander last played an MLB game on May 29. At the time, the Blue Jays sat .500 with a 28-28 record. Now fast forward to July 9, the Blue Jays have a 54-38 record, going 26-10 without him and surging into first place.

With Santander out, the Blue Jays have received some terrific performances from other players in the lineup, with George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Ernie Clement, and Addison Barger all stepping up in his absence. Of course Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have been getting in done all season as well, but there is even more emphasis on their production with Santander down.

2. Where does he fit?

Santander still isn't ready to return to the lineup as he hasn't resumed hitting yet. Even when he is ready to return, the question remains; where he can fit in the lineup?

Santander plays right field, but can also be a designated hitter if needed. However, he is a big swing and miss guy and the Blue Jays strikeout rate without him has been one of the best in the league. Despite not being in the lineup for over a month he still sits tied for fourth on the team with 55 strikeouts. Everyone above him in that category has played at least 18 games or more this season, and the team leader in strikeouts, Springer, is only 11 K's ahead of him with 86 games played.

July was going to be a pivotal month to see if the Blue Jays can be a buyer or seller at the trade deadline and they have certainly answered that question with their ten game win streak. The question now becomes, do they need a player to replace Santander, or can he return and be that bat they've been searching for?