All-Star slugger's contract revelation gives Reds a chance to make free agent splash

It's no secret that the Cincinnati Reds could use some added thump in the middle of their batting order heading into the 2025 season. Sure, Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand should be healthy, and that will definitely add some extra pop to the lineup, but Cincinnati has lacked a power-hitting outfielder since Nick Castellanos left following the 2021 season.

One of the best bats available in free agency still hasn't found a home this offseason. Anthony Santander, fresh off a 44-homer performance with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, has been languishing on free agent market all winter.

But according to The Athletic's reporting duo of Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon (subscription required), Santander is open to the idea of signing a short-term deal with high average annual values. This should have Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall chomping at the bit to sign the All-Star slugger before another contender swoops in and steals him off the market.

Anthony Santander's contract revelation gives Reds a chance to make free agent splash

The Reds are in a bit of pickle payroll-wise. The club's COO stated just after the Jonathan India-Brady Singer trade that Cincinnati's payroll could meet or slightly exceed last year's total. It's already done that, so the idea of the Reds going all-in on a slugger like Santander — who is a poor defender — isn't necessarily a realistic proposal.

However, given that Santander would welcome a short-term deal — perhaps a one or two-year contract (maybe with a player-option for 2026) — is exactly the type of deal Cincinnati should be seeking. The Reds, who don't have any players outside of Hunter Greene signed beyond the 2026 season, can certainly afford to add the free agent slugger given their lack of long-term commitments.

Securing Santander would thrust the Reds into the driver's seat of the NL Central heading into the upcoming season. Outside of the Chicago Cubs, every other team in the division has essentially remained in neutral or gotten worse this offseason. Santander's sudden change in contract demands could give the Reds the middle-of-the-order bat they need to become the undisputed favorites in the NL Central.

To date, teams like the Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Houston Astros have all been linked to Santander. It's time for the Reds to enter the Santander sweepstakes.

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