Anthony Santander 2024

[DrinkinWithFermi]

39 minutes ago, TommyPickles said:

Alright, so seems like the consensus on here is "No" to 4/80. 

Let's keep the bidding going, would you say yes to 3 years, $55 million?

That would be about 18 million each for his age 30, 31, and 32 seasons.

This year's qualifying offer is like $21.2 million.

I think he easily surpasses 3/$55 million in this year's market, so it's kind of a moot point.

"QO, take it or leave it" is still my final answer.

[Can_of_corn]

11 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I’m just saying that just because you are in great shape, doesn’t mean you will age well.
I thought it would be a big help to Davis and it wasn’t.

I don't think Davis continued to put in the same level of effort on his fitness after he signed the huge deal.

 

[LookitsPuck]

If you can get him on a 3-4 year deal at $20m or less, it's interesting.

But here's the rub w/ Santander: yeah, he's a SH. That's great. And he generally has even splits. But he's not great defensively. He reminds me of a SH Nelson Cruz but without the batting average or OBP. I'm not so sure that ages well.

I'd extend the QO and pursue a number of other of other options. 

To me, it's better to get the draft pick and, say, sign a guy like Tyler O'Neill, Joc Pederson, or Jurickson Profar as your DH/OF type and maybe give RF to Kjerstad.

[Ohfan67]

2 hours ago, Frobby said:

Here’s the thing.  Almost every free agent is around Santander’s age, or older.   So if we’re ruling out paying Santander, are we ruling out signing virtually any high-priced free agent?   Or is there something specific about Santander?   

I have real mixed feelings on this one.  I have a feeling the market will give him too many years and too much money.  But I don’t think it’s likely that Kjerstad etc. will fully or immediately replace his production or his leadership (which is underrated).   So, it’s tricky.   I lean towards letting him walk after offering the QO, but I can see the case for keeping him.  
 

This is a good reminder that basically by design free agents are almost always "not worth their price". I think you've posted a number of analyses over the years demonstrating this. After looking at the available free agents and just how bleak the offensive upgrades are, I can see a path where Santander makes some sense. For example, signing Santander or someone like Alonso to play first base along with a trade of Mountcastle would increase the offensive potential of the team for the next couple of years, allow Kjerstad or other young players to take over RF, and ditching Mountcastle's salary would offset part of the cost of signing a free agent. The free agent contract is likely to stink in the final year or two, but that's the case for most of the possible (and realistic) upgrades. As we have seen in the second half, relying on the young players is also a risk. Basallo, Rutschman, Mayo or other internal options may occupy first in a couple of years. Just thinking out loud. 

 

[Safelykept]

4 hours ago, wildcard said:

Right now I see the pitching staff as.  Eflin, GRod, Suarez, Kremer and one of Povich, Rogers, McDermott and Young.  All of the 5th starters have options so they can be on the shuttle if needed.   Bradish and Wells may come back in the 2nd half.

Pen:  Bautista, Cano, Coulombe, Dominguez, Soto, Akin, Perez, Webb and Bowman.   Yes that is 9 but someone is normally injured.   I will not be surprised if the O's protect Nick Anderson and bring him to camp in case of injuries.    Akin has an option next year.

That is 20 pitchers.

Will Elias look to improve over the winner? Sure but with the 5th starters being able to either start or be a long man in the pen the O's begin the off season with volume on the pitching staff.

If Akin has an option next year, He will be here. Not sure that he does.

[wildcard]

41 minutes ago, Safelykept said:

If Akin has an option next year, He will be here. Not sure that he does.

Akin was optioned once in 2024 but he did not stay in the minors of 20 days so that option  has not been used and will carry over to 2025.

[MurphDogg]

41 minutes ago, Safelykept said:

If Akin has an option next year, He will be here. Not sure that he does.

He will not have an option next year, nor will Bryan Baker or Burch Smith.

Cano and Bautista are the only bullpen guys with options next year, so they will definitely need some more bullpen arms with options

 

 

[MurphDogg]

Just now, MurphDogg said:

He will not have an option next year, nor will Bryan Baker or Burch Smith.

Cano and Bautista are the only bullpen guys with options next year, so they will definitely need some more bullpen arms with options.

I stand corrected. Akin's option was not used this year.

[G54377]

I'm really concerned to give out a big contract to a guy who, in a career year, is only batting .238 with a .311 OBP. Who adds no defensive value or speed value. Seems like a recipe for disaster. 

[Just Regular]

Starting to digest some of the almost year end numbers, he's looking good for 3rd MLB-wide in HR.

The .228 BABIP is lowest by a good deal among today's 131 qualified Bats on FG.   

That isn't an accident - his 30.4 GB% is 2nd lowest to Mookie Betts.     Santander has been about as successful as any MLB hitter getting ground balls out of the equation.    Elevate and Celebrate!

The difference between an 80 bat like Mookie and him is Mookie can do it without popping up a zillion times - Santander's infield fly ball rate near the top.

At year end on the other end of that sort, Cowser is still leading MLB at that Votto-ish "never pops up" thing.