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The power-hitting corner outfielder figures to slot behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the heart of the lineup. The 30-year-old Santander slugged 44 homers and 102 RBIs for the division-rival Baltimore Orioles this past season. 

Those slugging skills have been in short supply around the Jays the last couple of years. Guerrero has been one of the only consistent power threats for a team that finished with the third-fewest homers in the American League. Guerrero went deep 30 times last season; no other Jay reached 20.

Short-term, Santander fills a glaring need. The question is: at what cost? The native of Venezuela is limited defensively and might eventually become a designated hitter. He offers no value on the basepaths and, despite a career season in 2024, his on-base percentage of .308 was below league average.

All the value Santander provides is via home runs and doubles. If his bat speed and hard-hit rate drop with age, the back half of this long-term deal will get ugly.

That’s the risk a heavily criticized front office is willing to take as the Jays make a last-ditch attempt to contend before Guerrero and shortstop Bo Bichette become eligible for free agency in the fall.

To close the deal, general manager Ross Atkins caved to several demands. Santander was projected to sign a four-year contract worth $80 million by . The veteran slugger surpassed both figures and secured an opt-out clause.

 however, more than $35 million will be deferred, which lowers the contract’s present-day value. The Jays can also void the opt-out by picking up a team option for 2030. There was no mention of either stipulation in the club’s official release Monday night.

Since the Jays were getting increasingly desperate for upgrades, they didn’t have much of a choice but to offer Santander what he wanted. Their off-season began by missing out on generational talent Juan Soto. Pitchers Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Roki Sasaki were among those who later said thanks but no thanks.

It was beginning to look like the Jays would struggle to sign anybody of note. The addition of closer Jeff Hoffman did little to ease those concerns after it came out that the Orioles and Atlanta Braves backed away from prior agreements because of issues with his medicals. At least in Santander the Jays found someone willing to make them his first choice ... for a price.

Once his power skills diminish he’ll cease to be useful, but there’s noticeable upside for the upcoming season. The eight-year veteran is a switch-hitter with fairly even splits from both sides of the plate. While Guerrero should benefit from the added protection, Santander will also benefit from the club’s best player consistently getting on base in front of him.

That should help provide the quick-strike offence that has been missing since 2021. However, Santander isn’t good enough to fix a flawed lineup on his own. The Jays still lack production in the bottom half of the order and need to add another left-fielder or DH, while also upgrading at third base, before the offence could be considered a strength.

Sign Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman and bring in another starter and the Jays become an instant threat. If all they end up with is Santander and Hoffman, they might still be a last-place team.

The Jays have competitive balance tax payroll of about $262 million — which already exceeds the second apron, per — but that number will drop a bit once the present-day value of Santander’s contract is calculated. It’s unclear how much more ownership is willing to spend.

Since the Jays are trying to win this year, signing Santander was one of the only remaining ways to keep that option open. That they had to offer more years and dollars than projected isn’t a shocker for a team with no leverage.

Signing Santander is fine for the here and now if he arrives with other pieces. If he doesn’t, this deal won’t cut it. Either way, much like with George Springer, there’s a good chance the contract won’t age well.