Anthony Santander, once a Rule 5 pick, has become a star during the 2024 season, and the Orioles must resign him this winter. Santander was signed as an international free agent by the Cleveland Guardians in 2011. After the 2016 season, the Orioles selected Santander in the Rule 5 draft, and he has remained with the team since 2017. Despite not playing over 100 games until the 2021 season, Santander has stuck through some terrible seasons. Then, in 2022, Santander hit 33 home runs, nearly doubling his previous career high. He helped lead the Orioles to their first winning season since 2016. After a slow start, Santander found his footing and earned his first All-Star appearance. He has been playing like a franchise cornerstone and deserves a big payday from the team that took a chance on him.
Orioles All-Star Continues To Prove Why He Must Be Resigned
The Summer of Santander
Ever since June, Anthony Santander has been on an absolute tear. In June, Santander hit 13 home runs, more than he had hit in the first two months combined. Also, Santander had an OPS of .960 in June, more than 200 points higher than his OPS in June. That insane month earned him an All-Star bid, but he did not slow down in July. Throughout July, Santandar smacked 9 more home runs and had a .303 Batting Average. He has been on fire since June and single-handedly has kept the Orioles offense alive amidst struggles. Santander seems destined to keep his hot summer going during August, mainly because he hit a home run on the first night.
13 HR in June. 9 HR in July.
How many will Anthony Santander finish August with? pic.twitter.com/gO19Z7S4Ii
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2024
Santander’s batting run value-added this season had been 19. That is in the top ten percent of the entire MLB. He is an elite hitter and deserves recognition for it.
Santander Is A Free Agent After The Season
After the 2024 season, Santander will be a free agent. After making 7.4 million dollars during the 2024 season, Santander will command much more during the next few seasons. A realistic offer would be 4 years, 100 million dollars. Santander provides a team with a consistent offense, a switch-hitting power bat, and solid right-field defense. He would deserve every penny of 25 million a year. But would the Orioles be willing to give him that? It has been many years since a contract that large has been signed by the Orioles. The answer, however, should be yes.
The New Orioles Ownership Will Spend
On August 1, 2024, David Rubenstein took full control over Orioles ownership. He brings a new mindset, with ideas of spending some money to remain good. His first free agency as the majority owner will certainly shape his tenure. Bringing back an All-Star who extends the Orioles winning window would be an excellent first move. He checks all the boxes of someone you want on a team. Not only is he an excellent player, but he is a leader and was the Orioles Heart and Hustle Winner in 2023.
Santander has become a key reason the Orioles are World Series contenders and letting him go would be a mistake. His consistent power bat in the middle of the lineup does not grow on trees. Although Rubenstein may hesitate to start throwing money around, bringing back Santander is a no-brainer move.
Main Photo Credits: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
