The Baltimore Orioles are known for one thing above all else in 2024: unlimited young talent.
First it was Adley Rutschman. Then it was Gunnar Henderson. Now, Jackson Holliday is bursting onto the scene. And in between, Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser have begun to shine. The core is loaded, and the Orioles' immediate future appears limitless.
However, there is one veteran Orioles position player who has quietly begun shouldering the burden of the offense. And with his free agency looming, he is beginning to look like one of the most sought-after players of the entire winter.
29-year-old Anthony Santander has been with the Orioles his entire career, beginning in 2017, when the Orioles suffered the first of five straight losing seasons. He was never the face of the franchise's turnaround, but he's played a huge role in getting them here.
Now that the Orioles are fighting for an American League pennant, Santander is beginning to garner the respect he deserves around the game. But at the same time, that means the Orioles are less likely to retain his services come 2025.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic named Santander the "most underrated" free agent in this year's class on Monday.
"He’s been a stalwart in the middle of the Orioles’ lineup over the last three years, averaging more than 30 homers a season while consistently driving in runs. He made his first All-Star team this year and is the best corner outfielder in this class," Bowden said.
With an .842 OPS and 35 home runs this season, second behind only Aaron Judge in the American League, the switch-hitting Santander is certainly creating a lucrative market for himself. But aside from the Orioles, which teams might pursue the slugger's services?
Juan Soto of the New York Yankees is expected to be the prize of this season's free-agent class, with the benefit of youth on his side. The Yankees and Mets are expected to be the two most aggressive players in the Soto sweepstakes, but Santander could easily be the fallback.
Meanwhile, given his questionable outfield defense and short track record of stardom, Santander could be an option for contending teams looking for outfield help on a second-tier budget.
Teams like the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros could be players to watch in the pursuit of Santander this upcoming winter. Plus, there is always the "mystery team" that enters the sweepstakes in any high-stakes free agent chase.
While his focus is on the remainder of the Orioles title chase, Santander is set up nicely for a payday when the season comes to a close. Whether that payday will keep him in Baltimore, however, is the multi-million dollar question.
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