The Blue Jays have been connected to several players this off-season who could bolster their offense for the upcoming season, including Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander. MLB insider Jim Bowden has reported that the Blue Jays are the leading team to secure Santander, citing their strong interest in adding the outfielder to improve their hitting lineup.

Jim Bowden predicts that the Blue Jays will sign Anthony Santander to a six-year, $142 million deal, averaging $23.66 million annually. This figure is higher than many projections, with other sources estimating a lower contract value. If the Blue Jays are serious about acquiring top-tier free agents like Santander, they’ll need to exceed expectations in order to land him, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future still unresolved.

Paying Santander $23.66 million per season might seem steep, but it’s not far off from what they are paying George Springer, who made $25 million per season last year, despite underperforming. The Blue Jays are at a crossroads: if they want to remain competitive and avoid a lengthy rebuild, they’ll likely have to make substantial offers to free agents like Santander.

As one analyst, Roberts, pointed out, breaking the bank for Santander could be the key to keeping their core intact and staying competitive. Without doing so, the Blue Jays may face a drawn-out rebuild that fans are eager to avoid.