pc28¹ÙÍø

Unlike Vladdy Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, Tony Taters (as he’s affectionately known) is signed, sealed and delivered for five years as a Blue Jay. And if the slugger wasn’t quite the big thing that the club had panted after — sought, pursued, seduced and locked in — he’ll do. Not a unicorn, but a home-run beast.

Because Roki Sasaki said no, Juan Soto said no, Shohei Ohtani said no before that. All the superstars pc28¹ÙÍøhad stalked used that allure as leverage to pad bountiful contracts elsewhere. Santander was the best of what was left in the free-agent aisle, much as the Jays tried to topspin it as circling him all along. Certainly Santander doesn’t see himself as second best or third best or gotta sign somebody best.

“No, I stayed positive and confident. My family said: You have to wait for the right moment, understand that this is a business. It took a long time, but I stayed relaxed because I knew at some point I would have the chance to sign. I told myself this is simply how the market is right now. I knew that a lot of teams had their own priorities, and that’s OK. As a player, you can only control what you can control.’’

That’s the players’ mantra, trotted out in all sorts of situations. Still, it isn’t untrue. And Santander, with a club desperate to make some kind of a splash as the fan base cartwheeled from restless to seething, did exercise control — to the tune of $92.5 million (U.S.), with gusts to $110 million depending on how things unfold.

Those fat numbers shouldn’t preoccupy ticket buyers unless they’re playing armchair manager, even if Lord knows the Jays could use a less clumsy majordomo in the seat than Ross Atkins. The more pertinent numbers are these: career-high 44 home runs last season, 105 over the past three. In fact, just two thumpers crushed more dingers than Santander in 2024: Ohtani and Aaron Judge. For added perspective, 105 homers is 17 more than Guerrero uncorked across the same time frame.

Only one Blue Jay has ever reached 50 home runs in a single season: José Bautista with 54 in 2010. It’s a magic number, separating the great from the ultra-glossy. While Santander envisions Guerrero attaining that lofty level, maybe in this his walk-year, he hedges making any such avowal for himself.

“If everything goes right, maybe, but I do know the type of player that can get to 50. A lot of people think because I hit 44 last year, I’m going to hit 50 this year. But that’s not how it works. Of course we all want to hit 50, but it’s tough, you know? The one thing I do know is that I’m going to keep working hard to be in shape and as healthy as possible to go out there and hit bombs.’’

He’s not shy, however, about belonging in that trio of jackers: “One hundred per cent. As a player you have to believe deep in your heart. Doesn’t matter if you’re having a good year or a bad year. That’s the type of person I am, always stay positive on the outside. Other thoughts I like to keep to myself.’’

Now in his prime, the 30-year-old switch-hitter will enjoy the blessing of likely batting third behind Guerrero in the top-heavy lineup.

“It’s going to be beneficial for me hitting behind Bo and Vlad because they’re both great hitters. This is a game of learning and I’ll take the opportunity to learn from them every day.

“They’ll have to pitch to me,’’ he continues, none of this junk stuff or chasing swing-and-miss offerings that contributed to a .235 batting average in ’24, albeit with 102 RBIs. Booming bat, but with holes. As Grapefruit League games wound down, manager John Schneider had Bichette, Guerrero and Santander bunched at the top of the order.

Face splitting in a wide smile, he says: “I love hitting third, but it doesn’t really matter. Skipper can put me wherever he likes.’’ Adding with a laugh: “As players, when we’re in a slump, we’re moved down — seventh, eighth — because we’re not going to hit consistently all the time. In this game, you have to know who you are. That’s why if I start the season hitting .160, I don’t panic like a lot of guys do.’’

In Florida, for what it’s worth, he hit .295.

Schneider was instantly fanboy googly: “I’ve told him I used to hate when during his first at-bat he does that little dig-in and kind of stares into the dugout, and looking at the clock. I wanted to punch him in the face every time he did that the last couple of years, and now I love it.’’

Defence, though, is an issue on a team that remains obsessed with run prevention. The outfield will sort itself out once brilliantly fielding Daulton Varsho returns to full service. Santander is slotted for left, with George Springer patrolling right. “I haven’t played left consistently in a long time. A lot of different balls off the back fence.’’

Quite evident from his first day at camp was that Santander arrived unpacking high spirits, the same enthusiasm and carefree attitude that had endeared him to fans across eight seasons as a Baltimore Oriole. He’s even pleasant and receptive with reporters.

A native of Venezuela, Santander was originally signed as an international free agent by Cleveland in 2011 and scooped by Baltimore in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. He’s the first to concede that his early years as a pro baller were difficult, primarily because of injuries, which he revisits in bullet fashion: “First year, rookie ball, ACL. Then back-to-back surgeries in ’13 and ’14, injuries again in ’15, ’17, ’18. Everybody processes these things different, but that process helped me to be mentally strong.’’

He was grinding it out when the Orioles bottomed out in 2018 — worst record in Major League Baseball, second worst the following year — but contributed mightily to the rebuild, helping them reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and making his first all-star team in 2024. Santander claims not to be disappointed that he won’t be an Oriole for the best to come, although he’d stated through last season his wish to return.

“I’m thankful and grateful to the Orioles because I had the opportunity to become an everyday player. But in free agency, all 30 teams had the same opportunity to have me.’’ Baltimore wasn’t interested in giving Santander the money or term he was seeking. “That’s fine. I’m happy to be a Blue Jay. It’s a good fit for me.’’

And that one-two-three punch at the plate, Santander is savouring it.

“We can do a lot of damage.’’