Baltimore Orioles Star Seen As Potential Trade Target
Some trades are about upgrading. Some trades are about filling needs.
Some trades are about opening up space for more talent, and that may be where Anthony Santander is headed this offseason.
The Baltimore Orioles have a glut of talent in the outfield, most of it young and under team control.
Baltimore is considered to have two of the best outfield prospects in baseball— Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. Both are under team control and not eligible for arbitration for a while.
The Orioles also have left fielder Austin Hays, who is also arbitration eligible for the second time. He batted .275 with 16 home runs and 67 RBI. Plus, there is center fielder Cedric Mullins batted .233 with 15 home runs and 74 RBI but has a 30-home run season in his 2021 All-Star season. He has two more seasons of arbitration ahead.
Santander is in his final year of arbitration. He could net $14 million at the arbitration table. The Orioles could also try to sign him to an extension.
Or, the Orioles could try and trade him.
The Athletic recently highlighted 10 players that could be dealt this offseason, and Santander made the list.
While it’s easy to see why Santander might look ready to deal, the Athletic points out there is some uneasiness in the organization about it:
His name keeps being brought up in trade talks by teams that are looking for more offense. The Orioles are loaded with young outfielders and could afford to trade Santander if they can get the right starting pitcher back in the deal. However, he’s also an important cog in the clubhouse, so the front office is hesitant to move him.
Santander was Baltimore’s primary right fielder in 2023. He slashed .257/.325/.472 with 41 doubles, 28 home runs, 95 RBIs and a 121 OPS+. He was also valued at 3.0 in WAR (wins above replacement).
It sounds like dealing Santander is on the table — but only if the price is right.
