As the MLB offseason approaches, the Baltimore Orioles face the real possibility of losing two of their key players.
Focusing on Santander, many teams are looking to enhance their outfield and add powerful hitters, with the New York Mets being one such team.
Bleacher Report has recently assessed Santander’s upcoming free agency and identified several teams, including the Mets, as potential suitors. They highlight that even if Santander doesn’t return to the Orioles, he is likely to secure a lucrative deal. With a potential 40-home run season in 2024, his consistent performance from 2022-2023—averaging 31 home runs and 92 RBIs—shows he’s more than a one-year wonder.
So far in the 2024 season, Santander has played 129 games, hitting 38 home runs and driving in 86 RBIs with a .236/.305/.514 batting line.
Baltimore would undoubtedly prefer to re-sign him, but financial constraints and the need to invest in several players might force them to make tough choices. The same uncertainty surrounds Burnes.
As the offseason unfolds, there remains a possibility that Santander could return to Baltimore in 2025, but numerous teams are already positioning themselves as potential contenders for his signature. The Mets, in particular, are a team to watch closely as they aim to return to World Series contention.
In other news, the Orioles have bolstered their bullpen by signing veteran right-handed reliever Nick Anderson, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North. It’s unclear whether this is a Major League deal as of Tuesday night.
Anderson recently opted out of a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, having been released by the Kansas City Royals shortly before. Known for his standout performance with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020, Anderson posted a 1.00 ERA in 16.1 innings and a 14.3 K/9 rate. However, he pitched only six games in 2021 and missed all of 2022.
He returned to form in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, achieving a 3.06 ERA in 35 appearances. Despite struggling with the Royals, where his ERA rose and strikeouts fell, Anderson showed promise in his brief stint with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, allowing just one earned run and striking out five in 4.1 innings.
Although Anderson hasn’t reached his peak performance recently, the Orioles could benefit from his experience and depth, especially with Felix Bautista and Danny Coulombe on the injured list.
