As the Toronto Blue Jays navigate a crucial offseason, searching for a top-of-the-order impact bat, the team also confronts the significant challenge of year two of a massive contract given to a player signed to provide exactly that kind of offensive firepower.
A Costly Debut Season in Doubt
Approaching the first anniversary of the five-year, $92.5 million US deal awarded to Anthony Santander, both the value and the long-term viability of that agreement are under intense scrutiny. Santander's underwhelming first year with the Jays is a key reason the franchise remains deeply involved in pursuits for elite hitters like Kyle Tucker and their former All-Star, Bo Bichette, as they aim to build an offence capable of repeating as American League champions.
Manager John Schneider struck an optimistic tone at the Winter Meetings in early December, stating, "Tony is going to be huge for us." He added, "Speaking to him at the end of the year and in the postseason, he battled just to get back. He wanted to be part of it so bad." Schneider acknowledged the rough start, noting, "(With) a five-year deal, he wanted to get off on the right foot. It didn't happen."
That assessment is a substantial understatement. Santander, brought in to protect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and add a prolific home run threat, appeared in only 54 regular-season games. He managed a meager six homers and a .175 batting average, largely sidelined by a severe shoulder injury that was worse than initially reported. His first season in Toronto was a high-priced disappointment for a team that succeeded despite his absence.
What's Next for the Forgotten Man?
With pitchers and catchers set to report to Dunedin, Florida, for spring training in just six weeks, Santander superficially appears to be the forgotten piece of the Blue Jays' lineup puzzle. However, the front office is constantly reminded of his presence on the $11.8 million US payroll commitment for 2026.
The organization has not completely abandoned hope for a turnaround. The 31-year-old will be given a significant opportunity early in the season to rediscover the form that made him so attractive after a 48-home run season with the Baltimore Orioles. His fit in a potentially crowded roster is unclear, and the Jays are aware of his career-long pattern of being a slow starter.
"He is motivated," Schneider emphasized. "He is hungry to get back to the player we know he is. He's a big part of what we're doing." The manager has advised Santander not to put excessive pressure on himself, saying, "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."
From Injury-Plagued Season to an Uncertain Future
Santander's 2025 campaign ended almost as poorly as it began. After a sluggish start, he spent nearly three months on the Injured List with the significant shoulder issue, becoming an afterthought on a team surging toward an AL East title. He was activated on September 24 and fought his way into the postseason lineup, only to be removed prior to Game 4 of the ALCS with a back injury.
The Blue Jays' aggressive offseason interest in Tucker and Bichette confirms the team is not banking on a Santander resurgence to solve its offensive needs. Privately, the hope is that he can stay healthy and finally deliver the production his contract demands.
Publicly, Schneider offered a slight medical update in early December: "Shoulder is good. Back is good. He finally feels normal, so that's a good thing." The manager expressed a desire to accelerate Santander's typical slow-start process, adding, "Just get him in here and have a normal spring training, hopefully. The notorious slow starter that he is, hopefully we can speed the process up and hit the ground running."
If Santander does rebound, it will create a complex set of decisions for the Jays' management, involving other roster moves, the roles of key 2025 contributors, and the status of George Springer as the primary designated hitter. The 2026 season represents a critical juncture for both Anthony Santander's career in Toronto and the Blue Jays' substantial financial investment in him.
