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Did Blue Jays' Anthony Santander want to sign with Detroit Tigers? 'I was second in line'
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- Did Blue Jays' Anthony Santander want to sign with Detroit Tigers? 'I was second in line'
LAKELAND, Fla. — On Jan. 20, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Anthony Santander , a switch-hitting All-Star slugger who plays right field, to a five-year, $92.5 million contract . The 30-year-old was one of the best hitters available on the free-agent market.
Remember when the Detroit Tigers showed interest in Santander this offseason?
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He certainly does.
"They looked at me," Santander told the Free Press on Monday afternoon, "but they were looking at the third baseman as the priority because that was the spot they needed the most. I was next. They were showing interest, like calling and making sure I was still available, but I was second in line."
THROWBACK: What if Tigers miss on top target Alex Bregman? Anthony Santander interest exists
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander bats during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida on Monday, March 3, 2025.
The third baseman was Alex Bregman .
The Tigers passed on Santander because they were focused on signing Bregman.
Bregman, though, turned down the Tigers' six-year, $171.5 million offer, which included an opt-out after the 2026 season . Instead, Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million deal with opt-outs after 2025 and 2026.
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"The only thing I know is they were really interested in me, but after the third baseman," Santander said.
MISSING OUT: Tigers strike out as Alex Bregman signs with Red Sox
Here's the timeline: Santander signed Jan. 20 with the Blue Jays; Bregman signed Feb. 15 with the Red Sox. The Tigers put their eggs in one basket, and in the end, they missed out on an All-Star-caliber bat for the middle of their lineup.
What if Bregman had signed elsewhere first and the Tigers had then shifted their focus to Santander in free agency — would he have wanted to join them?
Santander danced around the question.
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"They were in the playoffs last season," Santander said. "That was my top (priority), going to a place where we can go out and compete. I chose Toronto because they have that goal, that chance to go to the playoffs. I mean, probably, who knows? But they didn't make an offer, so I don't know."
You read that correctly.
The Tigers didn't even make an offer to Santander.
"They showed interest, but they didn't make an offer, so I don't know," Santander said, reiterating.
WHAT BREGGY OFFERED TIGERS: Alex Bregman could join Tigers in future after Detroit made 'priority list' in free agency
Santander hit .235 with 44 home runs, 58 walks and 129 strikeouts across 155 games for the Baltimore Orioles in the 2024 season, making 129 starts in right field. He averaged 35 homers and 153 games per season from 2022-24, with an 8.5% walk rate, a 20.5% strikeout rate and a .795 OPS.
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On Monday, Santander arrived in TigerTown with the Blue Jays for a spring training game against the Tigers. He finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs in the Blue Jays' 13-3 win .
Santander popped out in the first inning against left-hander Tarik Skubal , then he smacked an RBI single in the fourth against right-handed reliever Jason Foley and ripped a two-RBI double in the fifth off righty Ty Madden .
It was an impressive performance.
And a reminder that the Tigers — led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris — might regret not making him their No. 1 priority.
"I'm happy and excited," Santander said of signing with the Blue Jays. "I stayed in the (American League) East, and I know that division. I like to compete with good teams. I'm happy. I'm excited."
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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Anthony Santander wasn't offered by Detroit Tigers in MLB free agency
