The Toronto Blue Jays had a franchise-defining season in 2025, winning the American League East for the first time in a decade and advancing to Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in heartbreaking fashion. 

But even though the year was special, that doesn't mean there aren't things to improve moving into 2026.

The Jays have already put in significant work this offseason on bettering the pitching staff: They've signed Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers to multi-year contracts, and they got Shane Bieber to opt back in to his one-year deal.

Beyond that, they've been connected to top free agents like Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, and they are expected to land at least one of them. But there is one player already on the roster that can provide a major bump if he can just get back to his former self: Anthony Santander.

The Santander file

Now 31 years old, Santander was signed to a five-year deal worth $92 million last offseason, but 2025 was essentially a lost year for him.

He played only 54 regular season games because of a left shoulder injury, hitting .175 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. This followed up a year in which he had 44 homers and 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles.

Lifetime, Santander is a nine-year veteran of Baltimore and Toronto. He's a .241 career hitter with 161 homers and 160 doubles. A one-time All-Star, he has three seasons of 28 home runs or more.

He returned back to the Jays before the end of the regular season, but was taken off the playoff roster in the American League Championship Series because of a back injury.

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What's his outlook for 2026?

As it stands right now, Santander figures to an outfield/DH platoon partner with George Springer. However, things get more complicated if the Blue Jays sign Tucker, which is why we raised the question of if the Jays could actually move on from Santander this offseason. It seems highly unlikely, but don't underestimate what a desperate-to-win team with money can do.

How about beyond? 

Well, if Santander gives the Jays a good return on investment, then he's set heading into 2027. If he struggles again? The same question we just raised will get raised again, but it will be even louder as the contract becomes more affordable over the final three years. 

Since we are even asking these questions, it's fairly clear: Santander is the player with the most to prove in 2026.

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