Angels Miss on Another Free Agent Signing, Lose All-Star to AL East Team

Valentina Martinez | Jan 20, 2025

Sep 20, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander (25) walks through the dugout before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels have lost out on a big name free agent the team had been linked to for a majority of the offseason. Anthony Santander is reportedly signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

The Blue Jays and OF Anthony Santander are in agreement on a deal, a source confirms. @jonmorosi had it first.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 20, 2025

The Angels and Blue Jays were speculated to be the frontrunners for Santander, Toronto emerges as victorious. The Blue Jays and Santander came to an agreement on a five-year deal, worth more than $90 million, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Anthony Santander’s deal with the Blue Jays is for five years and more than $90 million, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 20, 2025

On New Years Day, it was reported the Jays had offered Santander a four-year, $82 million deal. But only a few days later MLB insider Robert Murray said there had been no progress on a deal for Santander with any team. The outfielder was likely waiting until he got a fifth year from a team.

Santander signing with Toronto is yet another free agency loss for the Halos. At the Winter Meetings, general manager Perry Minasian said the team still had moves to make. With less than a month before spring training, the Angels have yet to sign a big name free agent.

The Angels have added two starting pitchers in Kyle Hendricks and Yusei Kikuchi, catcher Travis d'Arnaud, infielders Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman, and outfielder Jorge Soler.

Even with the new additions, Angels manager Ron Washington wasn't ready to say the team would be contenders in 2025.

“I think if you ask me that question when we're getting ready to break out of Spring Training, I'll be able to answer it a lot better,” Washington said at the Winter Meetings. “But as far as being successful, I'm always ready to be successful, and the group I have is ready to be successful. We've just got to wait until we get everybody in camp and see what we have and then ask me that question.”

Despite the numerous acquisitions this winter, the Angels' offseason seems so incomplete. If the organization can manage one big free agent signing, it would be the start of a new chapter in Anaheim.

Once again, the fate of the Halos is in the hands of owner Arte Moreno. He can either choose to spark change, or continue letting the team slip through the cracks.