Latest Anthony Santander update gives Blue Jays something to consider ahead of trade deadline

You would be completely forgiven if you had completely forgotten that Anthony Santander was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Ever since signing his five-year $92 million contract ahead of the 2025 season, the 31-year-old outfielder has played in just 54 regular season games with the Blue Jays.

He suffered an injury at the end of May that kept him out until the end of September last season, and while he managed to also find some at-bats during the playoffs, his season ended much sooner than Game 7 of the World Series. This year, a shoulder surgery procedure has kept him out of action.

However, Blue Jays manager John Schneider recently told reporters that Santander is making progress and working his way back into baseball shape with an eye on a return in August. Schneider said, "Once he starts, I think you treat it as a normal spring training almost. I think there's a shot he could definitely be a factor."

The switch-hitting Santander could resume hitting within the next week, but it's putting the Blue Jays in a much trickier situation than they want to be in. At this rate, they have no idea if he will actually be ready and that could affect their plans going into the trade deadline.

A healthy Santander is exactly what the Blue Jays need, but will they get it?

The Blue Jays have struggled in the power department in 2026 and would love to add a right-handed power bat to their mix at the deadline. Of course, a surge from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer could fuel that charge, but thanks to their combined 12 home runs, power is on the GM Ross Atkins' shopping list ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

It could also be a left-handed power hitter that they add, but right now the Blue Jays have an abundance of lefties who, while not hitting for a ton of power, are doing a lot of other things right at the plate.

Between Guerrero, Springer and a returning Santander, the Blue Jays could solve all their hitting issues internally. It would save them from having to cough up a trade package to acquire that need, and also allow them to focus on other areas such as the rotation or the bullpen.

The problem is they have no idea if any of those three are going to be able to get the job done. Last year, Santander hit six home runs in 54 games, posting his lowest ISO (.119) since 2021 (.192). However, he had topped 28 home runs the previous three seasons, including hitting a career high 44 in 2024 with Baltimore. It would be great if they could get THAT version of Santander back for the stretch run, but at this point he is a long way from proving he can do that kind of damage.

The smart money would be to find someone that is mashing right now, perhaps a Wilson Contreras or a Christian Walker as mention by Jeff Passan of ESPN. Neither guy is a free agent at the end of the year and the Blue Jays could end up with having too many guys on the roster at season's end. But that's a much better problem to have, than to hope on a wish and a prayer that Santander can come back and be the missing ingredient in 2026.

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