Santander reaches agreement on five-year deal with Blue Jays

The Orioles got their last look at Anthony Santander in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series as he stood in their clubhouse and soaked in another painful scene. A quick playoff ouster, similar to the previous October’s sweep in Texas. The consoling hugs, the realization that many teammates wouldn’t be back.

He stood at his locker, motionless, and scanned the room, as if taking mental snapshots.

Santander will get to experience a reunion with who’s left in a couple of months.

The Blue Jays reportedly have reached agreement with Santander on a five-year deal for more than $90 million. The contract includes a club option.

Update: The New York Post's Jon Heyman says the deal is worth $92.5 million.

The teams meet for a season-opening four-game series at Rogers Centre that begins March 27. The Blue Jays make their first visit to Camden Yards April 11-13 and return July 28-30.

The ovations should be long and loud.

Another free agent departure gives the Orioles another compensatory draft pick following Corbin Burnes’ six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks. The Orioles made qualifying offers to both players for $21.05 million.

Santander hit 44 home runs, seventh-most in a season by an Orioles player, to rank third in the majors and second in the American League behind Aaron Judge’s 58. He also set a career high with 102 RBIs.

Santander’s 155 homers are 13^th in team history.

Durability no longer is an issue with Santander, who fought through a litany of injuries earlier in his career and appeared in 152, 153 and 155 games the past three seasons. He was a Gold Glove Award finalist in right field in 2020 and a first-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner last year.

The Orioles selected Santander from Cleveland’s organization in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft, undeterred by his shoulder surgery and lack of experience beyond Single-A ball, where he hit .290/.368/.494 with 42 doubles, 20 home runs and 95 RBIs in 128 games with Lynchburg.

Santander knew that he’d likely change teams after this past season, which added a sentimental touch to his final hours at the ballpark. The Orioles signed Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract to replace Santander in right.

Over 27 games, Santander has batted .194/.275/.398 with six home runs at Rogers Centre.

MLB.com first reported Santander’s deal with the Blue Jays.