As we get ready to move the calendar to 2026, I'm starting to wonder something. I'm not saying it's going to happen, or even that it's likely, but I'm just starting to wonder if it could.

Could the Toronto Blue Jays actually move on from Anthony Santander after just one year?

Let's lay out the facts here, first and foremost:

About Santander

Now 31 years old, Santander was signed before the 2025 season to a five-year, $92.5 million deal (and there's a sixth-year option). He was a colossal disappointment in that first year, hitting just .175 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.

He played only 54 games because of a shoulder injury, and then was removed from the American League Championship Series roster because of a back injury.

A nine-year veteran, he spent eight years with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting .235 in 2024 with 44 homers and 102 RBIs. He had 28 home runs or more in each of the three preceding years before joining the Blue Jays, which earned him the big contract.

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As things stand currently

We've talked a lot about the roster construction for the Blue Jays as it relates to possible signings of Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, but it bears repeating again.

If the Blue Jays sign Bichette: Bichette could play second, with Andres Gimenez at shortstop and Ernie Clement at third. Addison Barger would play right, with Daulton Varsho in center and one of Santander and George Springer in left and the other at DH. That roster works.

If the Blue Jays Bregman, it would be the same thing, except Bregman would be at third and Clement would be at second. That roster also works.

If the Blue Jays sign Tucker: Then Tucker would be in right, with Varsho in center and one of Santander/Springer in left and the other at DH. Barger would move to third, Clement to second. That roster also works.

Where the Santander issue comes into play?

What if the Blue Jays want to sign Tucker AND one of the infielders? It would cost a ton of money, but the Blue Jays don't seem to care about salaries or financial penalties right now. Could they actually go all-in and sign both players? It doesn't fit roster-wise right now, but it would if the team was willing to move on from Santander.

The risk in doing that

Well, there's really two risks. The first is that you move on from Santander only to see him rediscover his form and potentially come back to bite you on your way to the World Series.

The second is that if you move on from him and someone gets hurt, then you are left wishing you had him there to plug a hole. You only have too much depth until you don't.

The cost in doing that

Toronto would have to eat most of the remaining money in a trade or almost all of the money by releasing him. That makes it extremely hard to stomach, given the above risks.

My thought

I think the Blue Jays should sign Bichette, for sure, and I think they should go after Tucker too, but I think they should keep Santander.

Yes, the roster construction will be wonky for a year, but someone will inevitably get hurt, and then Varsho and Springer are both free agents after the 2026 campaign. At that point, Tucker and Barger can be in the outfield and Santander can retreat to the DH position. And then the Jays can go find the next answer to their outfield opening.

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