Both the New York Yankees and New York Mets are reportedly pursuing Juan Soto, but if he opts not to stay in New York, they may need to explore backup options. One name on their radar is Baltimore Orioles slugger.
He had a breakout 2024 season, earning his first All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award, and finishing 14th in American League MVP voting. The switch-hitter set career highs in OPS (.814), home runs (44), RBIs (102), and runs scored (91). At 30 years old, his primary role as an outfielder makes him a logical Plan B for teams waiting on Soto’s decision.
With the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox also in the mix for Soto, the Yankees and Mets might turn their attention to Santander if they miss out on the superstar. Santander has drawn widespread interest, with Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer ranking him eighth among MLB’s top free agents ahead of the Winter Meetings.
Rymer identified the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Nationals as potential landing spots.
Despite being tied to draft-pick compensation after rejecting a qualifying offer from the Orioles, Santander’s market value remains strong. Projections suggest he could earn around $20 million annually, with B/R’s Tim Kelly predicting a five-year, $101 million deal. This figure slightly exceeds Spotrac’s market-value estimate of five years and just under $89 million. However, a bidding war among big-market teams could push his contract into nine-figure territory.
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