The Baltimore Orioles were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the playoffs. Anthony Santander was a key player on the team, but is now a free agent.

While making predictions for the top 50 free agents, one of the authors of MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Santander would sign with the New York Yankees.

“Santander has been 24% better than the average hitter, as measured by wRC+, over the past three seasons (19% over the past five),” the staff wrote. “This year’s barrage of homers could prove to be a career highlight, but he’s hit 28 homers in 2023 and 33 in 2022. That’s a veritable 30-homer bat that performs well on both sides of the ball. marble and can at least effectively handle a corner spot for a year or two, he’s undeniably a nice player to have.

Steve Adams was the only one of four writers to predict Santander signing with the Yankees. The Yankees need a bat like Santander in their lineup, who was an All-Star for the first time in his career last season. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he would sign a four-year, $80 million free agency deal.

Santander has 32 homers from the left side against righties in 2024. He’s not an elite fielder, but made 129 starts in right field last season. The Orioles would hate to see him leave, but signing with the Yankees would leave a sour taste in their mouth.

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