MLB Network Analyst: Santander 'absolutely' a better fit for the Blue Jays than Hernandez.
Photo credit: MLB.com
MLB Network's Harold Reynolds says that Anthony Santander is a much better fit for the Toronto Blue Jays than Teoscar Hernandez.
In this segment below on MLB Hot Stove, Harold Reynolds says that after losing out on Juan Soto the next best thing available for many teams not just Toronto is Anthony Santander.
When asked if Reynolds would spot Anthony Santander over Teoscar Hernadez? His answer was an unequivocal "absolutely...absolutely, he had 44 homeruns last year and is a switch hitter with no deficiencies from either side of the plate."
For me there has to be 15-20 teams that could use his bat, Santander is a premiere bat that everybody is overlooking."
Santander has hit .245/.312/.476 with 134 home runs in 2571 plate appearances since Opening Day 2020, translating to a 119 wRC+.
Santander saved his most overall productive season (3.3 fWAR) for his walk year, as he hit a career-best 44 homers along with a .235/.308/.506 slash line in 665 PA for the Orioles.
He had even splits from both sides of the plate, and posted above-average numbers in terms of barrel, hard-hit ball, strikeout, and walk rates.
This production earned Santander his first All-Star and Silver Slugger nods, and he even received a bit of down-ballot support in AL MVP voting.
Reynolds also had some thoughts on why the Blue Jays are having so much difficulty signing big free agents in Toronto
"By the time a player finally becomes a free agent it's not just about the money, it's about winning and when you start looking at the Toronto Blue Jays the challenge is not playing in Canada or the taxes, its the division. Are we going to win? The Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox are going to be there and will I be able to win in the AL East?"
He also reiterated the uncertainty of the looming contract extensions of Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette. Not a good look for the Blue Jays trying to attract free agents who want to win in one of the tightest division in baseball.
If the Blue Jays do land Santander this may be what the lineup would look like according to the MLB Network.
Coming off a career year, 'Tony Two Bags' as he was affectionately known in Birdland would be a welcome edition to this Toronto Blue Jays lineup.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 6 | 298 ANSWERS MLB Network Analyst: Santander 'absolutely' a better fit for the Blue Jays than Hernandez. Is Anthony Santander a better fit for the Blue Jays than Teoscar Hernadez would've been? | ||
| Yes | 187 | 62.8 % |
| No | 111 | 37.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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