With several free agents already snatched off the market and spring training looming on the horizon, one potentially game-changing bat remains available for the Detroit Tigers.
Switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander, who was projected to be somewhat of a consolation prize for one of the teams that just missed out on signing Juan Soto, still has yet to be signed and could give the Tigers the offensive boost they desperately need – especially given the latest update on his free agency.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) reported over the weekend that Santander was among the top remaining free agents who would be "open to considering short-term deals with high average annual values." After left-handed pitcher Blake Snell and third baseman Matt Chapman found success with this strategy last season, parlaying their short-term contracts into multi-year deals, Rosenthal suggested that Santander would be open to doing the same.
Free agent slugger Anthony Santander's latest contract update should pique Tigers' interest
Rosenthal's report marks a significant update to the market for Santander, who had reportedly been looking for a five-year deal worth at least $100 million. It was reported last week that Santander already has a contract offer on the table from the Toronto Blue Jays, the value and terms of which are unknown at this time. However, given that he is now reportedly exploring other options that include short-term contracts, it appears that the Blue Jays' offer doesn't especially interest him.
Detroit has become a destination of late for players looking to sign one-year, "prove it" deals (see: Jack Flaherty in 2024 and Gleyber Torres in 2025). This latest update from Santander should seriously pique the Tigers' interest as they look to bolster their lineup with some veteran power and versatility in order to make a deeper playoff run in 2025.
Rosenthal went on to point out that Santander probably would not settle for a shorter deal until he had exhausted all other alternatives, meaning such a contract is unlikely to be signed until closer to the start of spring training (as was the case with both Snell and Chapman last year). So, while nothing is necessarily imminent, the Tigers' patience in free agency could pay off if they are able to land a bat like Santander's on a short-term deal.
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