Orioles’ chances of re-signing Anthony Santander slim: report

The Baltimore Orioles are the only team that would not have to give up 2025 draft picks as compensation for signing Anthony Santander. The free agent outfielder has spent his entire major league career, since 2017, in Baltimore.

However, according to a new report from Héctor Gómez of Z101 Digital, the Orioles do not have the best offer for Santander, and perhaps not the second-highest offer either.

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“#Astros are the biggest threats to #Tiles in the Anthony Santander draw while #angels “I have offered a similar offer to the Blue Jays,” Gómez wrote Thursday on Twitter/X.

Gómez reported Wednesday that the Blue Jays were the favorites to sign the Venezuelan outfielder with a four-year, $82 million offer, while the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles “have also shown interest.”

The Blue Jays fit perfectly. They are looking to improve a lineup around anchors Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette after falling short in the draft to sign outfielder Juan Soto.

Meanwhile, the Astros have an opportunity in the outfield after trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for two infielders, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith, and pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Signing first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million deal gives Houston a potent infield even if free agent Alex Bregman doesn’t re-sign as expected.

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The Angels’ outfield is a bit crowded. In addition to retaining the starting trio of Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak, they welcome back three-time MVP Mike Trout, who missed most of last season with knee injuries. It’s possible the Angels could use Santander as the designated hitter or trade Ward, a rumor that has persisted all winter.

Santander, 30, has 155 home runs and 435 RBIs in the last eight seasons, all with Baltimore. Last season he finished with a career-high 44 home runs and 102 RBIs along with a .235/.308/.506 batting line.

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Baltimore already let its free agent go free last week. Starting Pitcher Corbin Burnes surprisingly accepted the terms with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a six-year, $210 million deal on Friday, leaving a hole at the top of the O’s starting rotation.

baltimore previously signed free agent Tomoyuki Sugano, a veteran of 12 seasons in Japan’s top league, to a one-year, $13 million contract. They also signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill and backup catcher Gary Sánchez.

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