Now a Blue Jay, Santander says ‘zero chance’ he would re-sign with Orioles

DUNEDIN, Florida—After Anthony Santander finished his first of many games against the Orioles as a Toronto Blue Jay, he acknowledged how much he enjoyed playing in Baltimore, but said there was “zero chance” he’d re-sign with them.

Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with $56.75 million deferred with the Blue Jays on January 20^th with an opt-out after 2027. There’s a $15 million option for 2030.

The Baltimore Sun reported the Orioles offered a three-year deal to the 30-year-old outfielder.

“No. Zero chance. Zero chance at all,” Santander said about re-signing after he left the Blue Jays’ 6-4 win over the Orioles on Thursday.“They make an offer. It wasn’t even close. We get it. We understand. It’s a business side. [Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias] is really smart about it. We’re smart about it, too. We have to be patient. Toronto just gave me the opportunity.

“When you go to free agency, you want to stay on the team that gave you the opportunity, but at the same time, it’s a business. I’m looking forward to playing the next five years against them.”

Santander came to the Orioles in 2017 as a Rule 5 draft choice. Last season, he hit 44 home runs, the seventh-most in team history, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge in the majors. He also drove in 102 runs and hit .235 with an .814 OPS and was an American League All-Star for the first time.

“He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever had,” manager Brandon Hyde said before the game.

“It means a lot,” Santander said. “He was great to me all the time from 2019. He made me feel comfortable and he gave me the opportunity to go out and compete. He gave me the chance to be a really good player and I’m so grateful.”

Santander was 1-for-4 and played left field. He left the game for a pinch-runner in the top of the seventh after singling against former teammate Bryan Baker.

During the game, he chatted through the fence with some former teammates — relievers Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez, players he’ll have to face now. Few of the players in the Orioles’ lineup on Thursday played with him, and he’ll see the others when he plays in Sarasota next Tuesday night.

“I’m looking forward to playing against my old teammates,” Santander said.

Santander will see them again on March 27^th for the season opener at Rogers Centre, and on April 11^th when he returns to Baltimore.

“It’s a new season, you know? I feel good,” he said. “I’m going to face them a lot, so I have to feel comfortable for now—for the next five years I’m going to face them.”

Hyde knew it was going to be strange watching one of the few players he managed for his first six years with the Orioles.

“I love everything about the guy,” he said. “I love his parents. They’re around all the time. We have a great relationship. I don’t like seeing him in blue.”

Toronto had their regulars playing, and Santander batted third, just behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“Kind of emotional,” he said. “First time in a spring training game playing against my team. I spent the last seven years. They gave me an opportunity to be a big leaguer. Looking forward to the season, especially Opening Day.”

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