Why John Schneider thinks this Blue Jay could be a major contributor in 2026

The Toronto Blue Jays were a well-oiled machine in 2025, getting contributions up and down the roster. For every postseason homer that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit, there was another unsung hero somewhere on the team, like Trey Yesavage's October heroics or Ernie Clement setting the MLB postseason hits record.

However, not everyone made positive contributions to the cause. Anthony Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract in free agency last winter after a 44-homer campaign with the Baltimore Orioles, only to debut in Toronto with arguably the worst season of his career. In 2025, Santander hit a paltry .175/.271/.294 with just six home runs in 221 plate appearances. His 61 wRC+ was his lowest since 2018, and his -0.9 fWAR was the worst mark of his career.

A lot of that underperformance can be chalked up due to injury — the 31-year-old outfielder struggled with shoulder and back problems all season. Thus, it should be a breath of fresh air to hear that Blue Jays manager John Schneider has deemed Tony Taters as fully healthy.

Anthony Santander's comeback will be crucial to Blue Jays' 2026 championship hopes

"Shoulder is good. Back is good. He's just feeling normal," DiamondCentric's John Bonnes reported Schneider saying at the Winter Meetings. "I've told him this: 'I don't want you to think you have to do anything you don't do well. You don't have to come back and hit .300 with 50 homers to make up for last year.' We need Tony to fit in the way we know he can when we signed him."

A return to form from the veteran slugger would be huge for the Blue Jays, especially if Bo Bichette departs in free agency. Santander posted a 118 wRC+ or higher in four out of five seasons from 2020-24, bopping at least 28 home runs in each of the latter three campaigns.

That's the kind of hitter than can help Vladdy anchor the middle of Toronto's lineup, particularly if Santander can keep up his career-high 11.3% walk rate from this past season. It would also be nice to see him turn in a better season with the glove, seeing as George Springer will likely soak up a majority of designated hitter at-bats in 2026.

We know the Blue Jays are involved in Kyle Tucker's market, and his contract and left-handed bat would likely displace Santander from the roster if a signing comes to fruition.

That's an unlikely scenario, especially if Bichette remains the team's priority in free agency, but it's one that could keep Santander motivated to keep improving his health and readiness for next season. Assuming Tucker doesn't come to Toronto on yet another mega-contract, the Blue Jays could really use the best version of Santander in order to remain in the championship hunt.