Can you believe hitting 44 home runs, earning an All-Star spot, and still receiving an offer so low that you don’t even consider it? That’s exactly what happened to Anthony Santander with the Baltimore Orioles.
Instead of staying with the team, Santander is heading to the Toronto Blue Jays. With key players leaving Baltimore, does this signal that the team is giving up on competing?
Anthony Santander: ‘Zero Chance’ He Would Stay With Baltimore Orioles
At 16 years old, Santander signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in July 2011, receiving a $385,000 signing bonus — the 29th highest for an international prospect at the time.
He made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2017, having been selected in the Rule 5 draft.
Over eight seasons in Baltimore, Santander developed into a powerful hitter. His career highlight came in 2024 when he crushed 44 home runs and drove in 102 RBIs.
Anthony Santander says the Orioles “made an offer, but it wasn’t even close” and there was zero chance he was re-signing with them pic.twitter.com/YKYMknIP6b
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 13, 2025
Santander didn’t hold back:
“Zero chance … zero chance at all. They made an offer, but it wasn’t even close to us. We get it. We understand; it’s on the business side. Mike is really smart about it. We’re smart about it, too. So you have to be patient. Toronto just gave me the opportunity.”
Chicago White Sox Scoop Up Brandon Eisert After Quick Trades
In January 2025, Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Blue Jays, joining a lineup featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer.
To clear space on the 40-man roster, Toronto designated left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert on Jan. 17.
Eisert, originally drafted in 2019, was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations on Jan. 23. His time in Tampa Bay was brief, as the Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers on Feb. 7.
Meanwhile, the Orioles also lost their ace, Corbin Burnes, raising serious concerns about their ability to retain talent.
Burnes rejected the Orioles’ qualifying offer of $21.05 million for 2025. Instead, on Dec. 30, 2024, he signed a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Fans React to Orioles Losing Key Players
Many fans are frustrated with how the Orioles’ ownership is handling contracts and talent retention.
The Birdland Network addressed the situation in a video, saying, “This ownership in David Rubenstein and Michael Elias now says that the training wheels are off, we’re going for it, we’re going to pony up and spend the money that needs to be spent to win a championship that’s evaded this town for 40 years.”
One X user took a shot at Baltimore’s spending habits, “Even the Marlins are embarrassed by how stingy the Orioles are.”
Even the Marlins are embarrassed by how stingy the Orioles are
— Random (@xitfirst) March 13, 2025
Another fan expressed disappointment, “After all he’s done for them, they disrespect him like that. Without him, you don’t even make it to the first round to lose.”
After all he’s done for them they disrespect him like that. Without him you don’t even make it to the first round to lose 😭
— proud ranger fan (@RangerApologist) March 13, 2025
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