The Toronto Blue Jays have had an active offseason, and the team may not be done.
Toronto recently signed Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, after signing pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and reliever Tyler Rogers. The Blue Jays may not be done adding, as Toronto has continued to be linked to the likes of Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker.
If Toronto does add one of them, Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet believes the team could trade slugger Anthony Santander.
“While further space could always be cleared if needed, the Blue Jays do have a full 40-man roster after adding Okamoto,” Nicholson-Smith wrote. “And from a playing time standpoint, Nathan Lukes may be on the outside looking in after the Okamoto deal. As it pushes Barger to the outfield with Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho.
“All of this means any further moves would require more subtractions from the 40-man, and adding someone like Tucker would presumably require a corresponding trade of an outfielder like Santander or Lukes. While possible, it would also complicate further additions.”
The Blue Jays trading Santander would be a surprise after Toronto signed him to a five-year, $92.5 million deal last season. However, he dealt with injuries all last season. With that, his role with the team is uncertain, as he’s better off as a DH. But, George Springer has that role locked down.
As well, if Toronto does trade Santander, the team would likely have to eat money and wouldn’t get much in return. But perhaps the deal is about clearing a roster spot and moving out some money.
Blue Jays Confident in Santander
Although Santander dealt with injuries that plagued his season, the team remains confident in him.
In 2024, Santander hit .235 with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs. So, Toronto believes he can get back to that level in 2025.
“Tony is going to be huge for us,” said Schneider. “Speaking to him at the end of the year and in the postseason, he battled to get back. … He wanted to be part of it so bad. He wanted to get off on the right foot. It didn’t happen.”
Schneider believes the Blue Jays also need Santander to have success in 2026.
“He is motivated. He is hungry to get back to the player we know he is,” Schneider added. “He’s a big part of what we’re doing. Again, I don’t want him. 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.”
Santander hit .175 with 6 home runs and 18 RBIs in 54 games last season.
Toronto Remains Engaged in Free Agent Market
The Blue Jays have been very aggressive this offseason, and the team may not be done.
Despite the roster looking full, Toronto remains in the market for the an impact hitter, according to Bob Nightengale.
“The Blue Jays remain fully engaged in talks with infielders Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman, with outfielder Kyle Tucker also remaining a possibility,” Nightengale wrote. “While the Blue Jays are trying to be the Dodgers of the North, their competitors in the AL East — except the Orioles — are standing back in awe.”
If the Blue Jays do land one of the impact hitters, it will only make Toronto that much more of a threat.
Blue Jays Linked to Making Surprising Move With $92.5M Slugger