MLB Rumors: Blue Jays, Angels 'Frontrunners' for Anthony Santander amid Tigers Buzz

Free-agent right fielder Anthony Santander is reportedly a hot commodity on the open market this winter.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, while the Detroit Tigers "have interest" in Santander, the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels are considered "the frontrunners for his services."

Santander spent his first eight major league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and is coming off a career year in which he earned his first All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award. The 30-year-old posted career highs of 44 home runs and 102 RBI while hitting .235 in 155 games.

Petzold noted that Santander "isn't expected to reunite with the Orioles in 2025." It's easy to see why multiple teams are reportedly pursuing him this offseason.

As a switch-hitter, Santander would be a strong fit near the top of the Tigers' lineup, which has "a flurry of left-handed hitters," per Petzold. Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris admitted the lineup lacks balance after the team's season came to an end in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians.

"We got a little left-handed towards the end of the year," Harris said in mid-October "I think we could use a right-handed bat to balance us out."

Detroit added former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres on a one-year deal, so he will provide the team with a productive right-handed hitter. However, Santander would be the power bat the Tigers need to contend for another playoff spot in 2025.

It sounds like Santander has a bevy of options available to him in free agency, and many will be watching to see where he ends up because he has the potential to be a difference-maker on a contending team.