The New York Yankees are among the teams eyeing former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander in free agency, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Morosi reported on Monday that the Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays all have "strong interest" in Santander after missing out on Juan Soto.
On Sunday night, Soto signed a massive 15-year contract worth $765 million to join the New York Mets (via ESPN's Jeff Passan). The deal can be worth over $800 million with escalators.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post revealed on Friday that the Yankees already held discussions with the 30-year-old before losing their former star outfielder.
While Santander may not be able to replicate Soto's all-around impact, he's repeatedly showcased his power at the plate over the past few seasons and is coming off a breakout 2024 campaign.
In 155 appearances with the Orioles last season, he hit .235 with 44 home runs and 25 doubles to go along with 102 RBIs. Santander was named an All-Star for the first time, while his .814 OPS represented the highest mark of his career outside of the shortened 2020 season.
The switch-hitting right fielder has recorded at least 28 homers in each of the past three years and could form an imposing trio with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the heart of the Yankees' lineup.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported on Sunday that the Blue Jays prefer Santander over Teoscar Hernández, but they're interested in both players. The Red Sox are also targeting both, but they're reportedly focusing on Hernández over Santander.
Following Soto's decision to join the Mets on Sunday night, Santander shouldn't have trouble finding his future destination as one of the top remaining outfielders in free agency.
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